AirSial to launch direct flights between Colombo and Islamabad

AirSial, a private airline based in Pakistan, is set to launch direct flights between Colombo and Islamabad, announced Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (Retired) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne.

He stated that the Pakistani Cabinet has approved this initiative. Currently, SriLankan Airlines operates flights to Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan in 2004, but the current bilateral trade volume remains below its potential of USD 1 billion.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently took steps to promote Buddhist tourism for Sri Lankan Buddhists, focusing on the Gandhara Trail. An international conference on this theme was held in Islamabad in May, aiming to enhance direct air connectivity between Colombo and Islamabad.