British private Airline, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd has started its flight ops from Pakistan. An opening ceremony was organized by Gerry’s Dnata at IIAP which was attended by British High Commissioner, Dr Christian Turner, Mr Zulfi Bukhari, Special Assistant to PM for Overseas Pakistanis as chief guests and officials of Gerry’s Dnata. First flight of Virgin Atlantic Airways, VS-362 landed in Islamabad from Manchester, UK. Chief guests received the passengers at the international airport.
British High Commissioner Christian Turner said the beginning of the airline’s operations to Pakistan was a “historic moment. Our 1.6 million strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK is at the heart of our ties; this development is a sign of confidence in Pakistan and will improve people-to-people links and boost trade.”
The new Virgin Atlantic services will provide vital connectivity for friends and relatives visiting family and loved ones, in addition to serving growing demand for business and leisure travel.
Virgin Atlantic South Asia’s Country Manager Alex McEwan said that “We are confident that passengers will love flying with us on our cutting-edge Boeing 787 Dreamliner to London Heathrow, Manchester and beyond to North America. Our services will promote trade and provide vital connectivity between UK and Pakistan, enhancing already close ties. It has been a monumental effort to enable our set up in Pakistan, and I would like to thank the British High Commission and the Pakistan authorities for their unwavering support.”
Advisor to PM on Overseas Pakistani Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari on Twitter. “Great new step for our United Kingdom and European Union-based diaspora. Pakistan is more connected and open for travel and tourism today than it has been in decades.”