Islamabad (Staff Report): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday granted approval for a new private airline Air Sial to operate from Sialkot International Airport.
The PM accorded the approval during a meeting with the chairman of the private airline Fazal Jillani, Federal Minister for Privatisation and Aviation Mohammed Mian Soomro and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Muhammad Usman Dar.
The PM said that the launch of the new airline by the Sialkot traders is a welcome step, adding that the government would provide more facilities to the traders.
Imran Khan said that the government is taking comprehensive measures for the business community. “The start of the airline will increase business activities and employment in the region”, he noted.
The PM said that the traders should present more recommendations and the government will consider them.
On this occasion, Chairman Air Sial Fazal Jillani said that the airline will begin its operation from next year. He thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government for approving the project.
Federal Minister for Privatisation and Aviation Mohammed Mian Soomro also welcomed the launch of the new airline.
Air Sial is a project by Sialkot exporters after the success of Sialkot International Airport. Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry is supervising the project.
The airline is likely to operate three Airbus A320 for domestic flights.
This is pertinent to mention here that business community established an international airport in Sialkot in 2009 and announced to launch an airline in the city on self-help basis to facilitate the traders during domestic and international travelling.
Meanwhile, the business community in Sialkot has also planned to set up a food and vegetable processing/packing centre close to the airport to boost exports.
Earlier, the exporters in the city also completed the construction of a dry port, export processing zone, small industrial estates and inter-city roads on a self-help basis under the city development package.