Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume flights between Islamabad and Chitral starting April 5, after a hiatus of nearly three years. Initially, the service will operate once a week, with an ATR-72 flight scheduled to arrive at Chitral Airport at 10 a.m. and return to Islamabad two hours later.
While the resumption of flights has been welcomed, the decision to offer only a weekly service has sparked dissatisfaction among Chitral residents. Locals have demanded daily flights to meet the growing demand, citing the route’s historical significance and operational success until 2010. Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali criticized PIA’s management for ignoring the region’s needs, stating that the route’s decline began when flights were reduced to four per week. He warned that the current weekly schedule might fail due to operational uncertainty and low passenger turnout.
Meanwhile, the Privatization Commission has proposed a new transaction structure to the Cabinet Committee on Privatization for divesting 51% to 100% of PIA’s share capital. The plan includes transferring management control alongside the equity divestment, with final terms to be determined during the bidding process.
The resumption of flights marks a partial revival of air connectivity to Chitral, but residents and officials continue to push for enhanced services to ensure the route’s long-term viability.
Also read: British Airways to resume flights to Pakistan after 10 years
