The Government of Pakistan has given permission to Air Sial, a private airline, to begin international operations, aiming to provide more travel options for passengers.
On Tuesday, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved Air Sial’s request to fly to several destinations including China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and Kuwait.
This decision came after the Ministry of Aviation recommended new international routes for Air Sial under the National Aviation Policy 2023 and Air Services Agreement.
The aviation division briefed the cabinet members about the benefits of this decision for passengers. Air Sial will announce its detailed flight schedule once all formalities are completed.
Air Sial was initiated in 2015 by members of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Notably, a report by the Civil Aviation Authority last year ranked Air Sial as the second most punctual airline in Pakistan.
According to the report, private carriers outperformed the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), in terms of punctuality. Fly Jinnah secured the top spot with a flight punctuality rate of 87.93 percent, followed by Air Sial with a rate of 86.89 percent.
