PIA to launch direct Lahore-Baku flights from tomorrow

LAHORE: Ahead of launching its new route to Baku, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) organised a roadshow in Lahore on Saturday to engage with travel agents, tour operators, and tourism stakeholders.

The roadshow, held ahead of the inaugural flight, was attended by key figures from the travel and tourism industry, who were briefed on the airline’s plans and the potential of Baku as a rising tourist destination, PIA spokesperson said in a statement.

According to him, PIA will commence weekly flights from Lahore to Baku starting Sunday, April 20. Two weekly flights will be operated, departing every Sunday and Wednesday.

The Azerbaijani capital, often referred to as the ‘Europe of Asia’, is increasingly gaining popularity among global travellers for its vibrant culture, historical landmarks, modern skyline, and diverse cuisine, the spokesperson added.

During the event, PIA officials also announced plans to expand flight operations from Lahore to more international destinations in the near future.

The airline’s first flight to Baku is scheduled to depart tomorrow morning, carrying 174 passengers.  

Earlier in the day, Privatisation Ministry announced that a fresh call for expressions of interest (EOIs) will be issued next week for the privatisation of PIA. The move comes shortly after the state-owned carrier reported its first annual profit in over 20 years.

The government plans to offload between 51 and 100 per cent of its stake in the airline, which has long been burdened by heavy debt and financial losses. The sale is part of broader efforts to overhaul struggling state-owned enterprises under a $7 billion agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A previous attempt to privatise PIA failed after only one bid was received—well below the minimum price of over $300 million. Officials say lessons have been learned from that process.

According to a statement issued by the Privatisation Ministry, the Privatisation Commission board has approved new pre-qualification criteria for potential investors, paving the way for a new round of bidding.