Emirates, a Dubai-based leading airline, has launched services to Sialkot, its fifth destination in Pakistan.

Emirates will operate four weekly flights with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration, offering 54 seats in Business Class and 183 in Economy Class.

“Pakistan was the first country Emirates flew to just over 28 years ago”, said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ senior vice president Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean.

“Since then the airline has steadily grown its network and continued to link the Pakistani community to the UAE as well as to worldwide destinations, making it easier to connect with friends, family and trade opportunities. Dubai and Pakistan have very close links due to the large community of Pakistanis living in the region and the level of trade between the UAE and Pakistan.”

“Sialkot International Airport is Pakistan’s first privately owned airport”, said Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry, chairman of Sialkot International Airport. “Having Emirates commence operations here will boost the regional economy, and offers Emirates passengers a convenient new entry point to Pakistan through our modern and efficiently run facility.”

Sialkot is the capital of Sialkot District located in the north-east of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Situated around 125 kilometres north of Lahore, it provides Emirates’ customers with an alternative gateway to the Export Triangle of Pakistan – the area encompassing Gujarat, Sialkot and Gujranwala.

The city is renowned as a key manufacturing base particularly for sports goods and clothing, gloves, surgical instruments, cutlery, ceramics and leather garments. The Emirates A330-200 operating the Sialkot service can carry up to 17 tonnes of cargo, giving a boost to trade opportunities.

Emirates operates 66 flights a week to Pakistan including four to Sialkot, 35 to Karachi, 11 each to Lahore and Islamabad and five to Peshawar. – TradeArabia News Service