First Virgin Atlantic flight lands at Islamabad Airport

The inaugural flight of British airline Virgin Atlantic carrying 208 passengers landed at the Islamabad International Airport on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Special Assistant to the PM Zulfi Bukhari and British High Commissioner Christian Turner welcomed the first Virgin Atlantic flight at the Islamabad Airport.

Bauhat Mubarak 🇵🇰 ! With @sayedzbukhari at touch-down of the first @VirginAtlantic flight. From 0 🇬🇧 flights to 20 a week is a sign of confidence in Pakistan #UKPakDosti pic.twitter.com/fS9hfOHINM

— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) December 11, 2020

Speaking on the occasion, Zulfi Bukhari said after British Airways the Virgin Atlantic was the second biggest UK airline to start operations to Pakistan. The return of foreign airlines to Pakistan will promote trade as well as tourism, he added.

This development will also strengthen the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Britain, Zulfi said and added the Virgin Atlantic has been allowed to operate eight weekly flights to Pakistan.

Salam Pakistan 🇵🇰

We’re thrilled to let you know that our inaugural flight from @manairport to Islamabad took off today with services from @heathrowairport to Islamabad and Lahore also commencing this month. We can't wait to take you there. pic.twitter.com/cnEuCFqIKR

— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) December 10, 2020

It will operate four weekly flights between London and Lahore and three flights between Lon­don and Islamabad.

Virgin Atlantic will use modern Airbus A332 planes for Pakistan operations.