Shoaib Ansari 
British airways Virgin Atlantic has announced it plans to begin services in Pakistan from December onwards.
“Virgin Atlantic is pleased to announce it will be launching flights to Pakistan in December 2020,” the company said in an official press release.
“Operating three new routes from London Heathrow to Lahore, London Heathrow to Islamabad, as well as from Manchester to Islamabad; these new services will go on sale in September 2020 subject to applicable regulatory approvals, and will boast Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class, Premium and Economy Light, Classic and Delight offering,” it added further.
Pakistan has the seventh largest diaspora in the world and the new services aim to respond to the large, fast-growing demand to visit friends and relatives from customers in the UK and the US, as well as capturing demand for business travel to the region as global economies gradually recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adventurous travellers will enjoy the UNESCO sights of Lahore, as well as exploring the foothills of the Himalayas outside Islamabad.
The services will offer seamless, speedy connections and a consistent long-haul onboard experience for customers travelling from destinations throughout North America, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco via London Heathrow onwards to Pakistan. Connections from European destinations will also be available through codeshare and interline partners.
As well as flying customers, Virgin Atlantic will offer a fast, efficient cargo service presenting new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods such as fresh produce and textiles between prime markets in the UK and US, and Pakistan, the press release added further.
Recently, British Airways also resumed flights to Pakistan after they were suspended due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The Atlantic’s plans to resume flights to Pakistan come at a time when the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines is undergoing a crisis helping other carriers to step in seize the opportunity.
