PIA Airbus A320 Islamabad to Skardu Experimental Flight Tomorrow (June 18)

[Abbas Ali]

Photos of PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA departure from Islamabad as flight PK-8451 to Skardu.





Abbas

[ammad]

I'd just love it if they start LHE-KDU. Count me in for the inaugural flight if this happens.

Only problem for this flight is Weather. Approximately 20% weather related cancellation rate is for this ISB-KDU flight, which eventually compel airline to return to origin station. Farther the origin Airport more the loss of block time of Aircraft due to weather related cancellation. However potential to fill the plane from LHE-KDU sector is there.

[Omairi7]

What is the status of this flight? kind of brave move by PIA to experimented with bigger aircraft....

[Abbas Ali]

^ It's re-introduction of PIA jet service for Skardu.

In the past, PIA used Boeing 737-300 for Skardu flights.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

From PTV News report about PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA test flight PK-8451 from Islamabad to Skardu performed today.


PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA at Benazir Bhutto International Air Port (BBIAP) - Islamabad ready to perform test flight PK-8451 to Skardu.


Passengers/guests boarding PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA at Islamabad Airport for flight to Skardu.


PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA passenger cabin.


PIA Airbus A320-214 registration AP-BLA at Skardu Airport.


Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation Shujaat Azeem flanked by PIA flight attendants talking to news media at Skardu Airport.

Abbas

[CoyBoy]

Whats with all the lilac shirts and purple ties in that pic? would make a nice uniform though.

[faiq]

Flights very important from defense point of view.

[Abbas Ali]

More stills from PTV News report.


AP-BLA at Islamabad Airport.










Passengers boarding.








Economy Class cabin.








Business Class seats.




Business Class seats.


Pre-flight safety demonstration.


Takeoff from Islamabad.


Flying over Pakistan's beautiful mountains.


AP-BLA starboard wing.


Disembarkation at Skardu Airport.




AP-BLA at Skardu Airport.


Skardu Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC).


Pakistan flag (left) and Pakistani Civil Air Ensign at Skardu Airport.


Shujaat Azeem talking to media at Skardu Airport.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to PTV News reporter, the A320 flight will carry 130 passengers from Islamabad to Skardu. Probably load restrictions?

ATR flights between Islamabad and Skardu carried 40 passengers.

Flight between Islamabad and Skardu will be completed in about 35 minutes by A320.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

First PIA Airbus A320-200 registration AP-BLA flight at Skardu Airport received water cannon salute.



Abbas

[aviator773]

When are they planning to launch regular A-320 Flights to Skardu?

[skycaptain787]

What's the big deal with the introduction of 320 on this route?? Can anyone explain please? Will they even be having enough payload ?

[ammad]

According to PTV News reporter, the A320 flight will carry 130 passengers from Islamabad to Skardu. Probably load restrictions?

ATR flights between Islamabad and Skardu carried 40 passengers.

Flight between Islamabad and Skardu will be completed in about 35 minutes by A320.

Abbas

What a relief, By road journey is 16 to 18 hours.

[Abdullah]

PIA Press Release;

PIA Operates A320 Aircraft for Skardu.

Karachi, June 18, 2015: PIA has started its flight operation by A320 aircraft from Islamabad to Skardu.
The vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif; to facilitate air travel to/ from northern areas of Pakistan, PIA has now started its flight operation to Skardu with latest technology A320 aircraft.

The flight arrived at Skardu airport on Thursday morning. Among the passengers, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation, Shujaat Azeem and DG Civil Aviation Authority, Air Marshal (Retd.) Muhammad Yousuf travelled on the flight from Islamabad to Skardu and Back.

A simple ceremony was held at Skardu airport attended by the residents of Skardu region at the airport. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation, Shujaat Azeem sharing his views on the occasion said that the airline is now operating flights with a bigger capacity aircaft i.e. Airbus 320 which fulfills the long standing demand of the people of Gilgit and Skardu, He said that PIA now will operate daily flights to/ from Skardu and Islamabad connecting the northern areas with the major cities of Pakistan.

A large number of residents of Skardu present on the occasion, welcomed the PIA flight operated by A320 aircraft and thanked Prime Minister of Pakistan and PIA on the arrival of the flight at Skardu airport.


"Water Cannon Salute" at Skardu Airport.


Media talk;


Flight crew members with Director Marketing Mr.Khurram Mushtaq;


Source: PIA Official Facebook Page

[TAILWIND]

What's the big deal with the introduction of 320 on this route?? Can anyone explain please? Will they even be having enough payload ?

It is a big deal. Ask the people of Skardu Valley what great facility is this. ATR flights require clear weather enroute as well, hence there are frequent cancellations, whereas the A320 is not affected by enroute wx, if skardu valley is clear, the flight can operates, moreover with three times the capacity, more ppl are facilitated. Cant say now, but years ago, the B733 flights use to be full even in winters, so pax load is not a problem.