Tajik airline launches flights to Pakistan amid push for trade and connectivity with Central Asia

Last Updated on June 28, 2024 2:25 pm

ISLAMABAD: A private airline from Tajikistan launched its flight operation to Pakistan on Thursday by transporting 14 passengers from Dushanbe to Islamabad amid efforts to enhance trade and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics.

Pakistan’s push for enhanced regional connectivity with Central Asia aims to unlock mutual economic opportunities, particularly in energy, trade and infrastructure, by capitalizing on its strategic geographic position.

In response, Central Asian nations, recognizing the potential to access broader markets through Pakistani ports and diversify their economic partnerships, have shown a growing interest in strengthening trade and transport links with Pakistan.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency, the first flight of Tajikistan’s Somon Air received a traditional cannon salute by fire tenders from the Civil Aviation Authority.

“The flight was handled by the Shaheen Airport Services, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Air Force,” it reported. “A cake-cutting ceremony was also held on the occasion.”

APP said the Somon Air flight departed from Islamabad to Dushanbe later in the afternoon with 52 passengers on board.

“The launch of Somon Air’s flights will facilitate direct travel between Islamabad and Dushanbe, saving travel time,” it added.

The flight will operate once a week in the initial stage to facilitate people traveling between the two countries.

Pakistan’s official logistics and freight transportation organization also dispatched the first locally produced potato consignment to Tajikistan earlier this year in April, creating a major export opening for the country to the landlocked region.