RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate non-stop flights to Sydney from April 22, it said on Thursday.

       “The wait is over! Introducing the first ever direct flight between #Pakistan & #Australia. Starting from April 22, 2022,” PIA said in a Twitter post.

       A PIA spokesman said the flights would initially be operated from Lahore to Sydney on Fridays and the other way round on Sundays.

       The direct non-stop flights to Sydney not only brought added convenience of time saving but also offered baggage allowance of 45 kilograms for economy and 55kg for executive economy passengers, he said, adding that it was the highest free baggage allowance being offered to passengers.

       PIA CEO Arshad Malik reviewed the final flight schedule and directed the marketing and front-line teams to provide best services to passengers.

       PIA plans to expand its network after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions faced by the aviation industry and has recently initiated flights to Baku from Karachi and Lahore.

       The airline also planned to add more destinations to its network, Mr Malik said.

       Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2022