The national flag carrier on Friday announced that it is restoring flights on Muscat and Sharjah routes from across the country, which remained suspended for more than a year, read a statement issued by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

“PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik depicted his keenness to expand the business network and has advised the commercial department for manifesting an aggressive strategy to enhance airline’s access in market and revenue,” the PIA statement said.

According to the details provided by the PIA, the Lahore-Muscat route will be restored from Saturday, November 17, operated by A320 aircraft. “PIA will operate twice weekly flights on Saturday and Sunday.”

With the introduction of these flights, the national flag carrier will have a total of nine flights to Muscat operating from Peshawar, Turbat and Gwadar besides Lahore, read the statement.

Similarly, PIA has also decided to restore its Sialkot–Sharjah route with twice-weekly flights every Tuesday and Friday. The fights from Sialkot will commence from November 20 after which the airline will have five flights per week including three from Turbat.

The airline’s CEO, while sharing his views on the commencement of the flights, has emphasised upon the PIA officials to “put in their best to enhance the service standards which will definitely boost its sales”.

“The turnaround and revival of national flag carrier is now unavoidable and the government is extending all-out support in this regard,” Air Marshal Malik was quoted as saying.