By Muhammad Luqman
British Airways has resumed its operations in Pakistan, over a decade after these were suspended in September 2008 in the wake of the Mariott Hotel bombing in Islamabad.
British Airliner’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Heathrow, London, with 240 passengers on board, and touched down at Islamabad International Airport (IIA) at 9:15am on Monday morning.
The airline will fly thrice weekly between British capital, London and Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari and senior officials of the Aviation Division and British High Commission welcomed the passengers at New Islamabad Airport.
“The resumption of flight operation of British Airways is great. Today is a good day for both Pakistan and Britain and we are also happy about the better security situation in the country,” said British High Commissioner Thomas Drew.
Unprecedented security, including more than 600 police, Quick Response Force units and snipers were in place at the time of the flight’s arrival, according to media reports.
“Return of British Airways is the first step. We will offer and facilitate other airlines to increase international connectivity in Pakistan,” Zulfi Bukhari said while speaking to Radio Pakistan.
The same aircraft departed for Heathrow at 11:10am with passengers on board from Islamabad.
“British Airway’s return to Pakistan sends a very good signal worldwide,” said Pakistan science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry. “It shows that the world has accepted the success that we have had in fighting terrorism.”
The London-Islamabad route will cater to the UK’s population of more than 1m people of Pakistani origin. The route will be “popular with businesses in both countries, as well as the British Pakistani community who want to visit, or be visited by, their relatives”, said Andrew Brem, British Airways chief
Return fares between London and Islamabad start from as little as £448 in World Traveller, £709 in World Traveller Plus and £1,499 in Club World. These can be reduced to as little as £248 in World Traveller, £459 in World Traveller Plus and £499 in Club World by using Avios part payment. As always, customers can choose to cut the cost of flights by using Avios part payment. They are able to pick from a range of savings by destination and cabin. Customers making the most of this are still able to collect Avios and Tier Points on their bookings.
Customers travelling can expect bespoke services to enhance the on-board experience including a halal meal option in every cabin, while the airline will also ensure sauces in every meal and will not include alcohol or pork. As with any British Airways flight customers can also pre-order a range of special meal options including vegetarian and vegan options.
British Airways’ long-haul flights include extremely generous hand baggage allowances – one large cabin bag with a small laptop or handbag – complimentary food and drink, online check-in and free seat selection 24 hours prior to departure. Customers landing in London can connect on to British Airways’ network which includes over 30 destinations across North America, with over 70 flights per day to the US through the airline’s joint business with American Airlines. Customers can also connect to over 30 countries in Europe, according to British Airlines Chief Andrew Brem.
