Skardu greets its first international flight

SKARDU: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday launched direct flights from Dubai to Skardu, marking start of international flights to and from the Skardu Airport.

See more: Pakistan to outsource major airports to foreign investors

The PK-234 flight, took off from Dubai at 4:15am with 80 passengers on board and landed at the Skardu International Airport, after four hours and thirty minutes.

Regular weekly flights will be operated on every Saturday from Dubai to Skardu and on Tuesdays from Skardu to Dubai.

Skardu airport was declared ‘international’ by former prime minister in December 2021, but due to unavailability of an adequate re-fuelling facility, international flights remained inoperational.

After the necessary arrangements were made, the facility was inaugurated on August 11.

Skardu, a city in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan is nestled in the Karakoram mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 7,999 feet above sea level.

Known for its scenic beauty, it is a popular tourist destination, particularly for mountaineers and trekkers to explore it breathtaking mountains, glaciers, and lakes.

Located at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers, Skardu is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world including K2, the world’s second-highest and Pakistan’s highest mountain.

The town has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several historic landmarks, such as the Buddha Rock and the Kharpocho Fort, a 16th-century fortress.

Read more: PIA and Air China sign agreement for flights to 16 Chinese cities