KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is starting direct flights between Karachi and Najaf in Iraq, said PIA chief Nayyar Hayat on Thursday.

Briefing reporters at the soft launch of the flight operation, he said the national flag carrier would be operating three flights a week and the first flight was scheduled for departure from the metropolis on Sept 14.

Mr Hayat said that passengers coming from other cities of the country would be provided check-in facility.

He said the new PIA route would particularly facilitate pilgrims. At present pilgrims have to travel via different countries and wait for hours at foreign airports before reaching Iraq, Mr Hayat pointed out.

He said seat reservation for Najaf flights had started today (Thursday).

With the induction of more aircraft to the PIA fleet, new routes and destinations would be added to the airline’s network, said Mr Hayat.

PIA marketing officials, including Bilal Shaikh and Tahir Niaz, also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2017