Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Discuss issues and news related to PIA, Pakistani airlines and Pakistan's civil & military aviation.
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

According to news sources, Government of Pakistan has contacted Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and requested for the operation of air force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft flights to & from airports of Chitral and Gilgit for travellers facing difficulties due to grounding of PIA ATR fleet.

During winter, road links with Chitral and Gilgit get closed due to snow.

Abbas
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
pk363
Registered Member
Posts: 777
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:07 am
Location: Dubai, UAE

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by pk363 »

Why only chitral and gilgit? Why not to include turbat, pangur, gawadar?
User avatar
uzkt01
Registered Member
Posts: 238
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 2:49 pm

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by uzkt01 »

Though off-topic but I believe it would be better if PIA starts a regional subsidiary operating only ATR aircraft to remote destinations. While the main airline concentrate on more lucrative destinations using its jet fleet. A dedicated subsidiary with 1 aircraft type can better maintain and more efficiently manage ops suitable for its routes.
User avatar
Rana
Registered Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Rana »

Think they should try Embraer 145 or CRJ-200 on wet leas. Just try for 3-6 months
Image
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

PIA to resume flight operation to Gilgit

Karachi; December 14, 2016 -
On the directions of Government of Pakistan, PIA has obtained the services of a C-130 aircraft from Pakistan Air Force for resumption of flights to Gilgit.

PK-605 would operate at 11:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM tomorrow. Passengers are requested to reach airport accordingly.

Source: PIA Press Release (December 14, 2016)
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

pk363 wrote:Why only chitral and gilgit? Why not to include turbat, pangur, gawadar?
Apparently because road travel links for Gilgit and Chitral are affected/blocked by snow in winters.

Travelers to/from other cities across Pakistan served by PIA ATR flights can opt to travel by road or railway till the resumption of airline's flights.

Abbas
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
ammad
Registered Member
Posts: 1710
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:52 am
Location: San Francisco. C.A.
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by ammad »

I remember NS promised that Gilgit Airport will be able to handle Jet Aircraft with in a year and nothing happen so far. It was Airforce pressure and requirement that compel CAA to upgrade KDU airport. Now very least either Chitral or Gilgit Airport needs to be upgraded handle A320.
Fortune favours brave.
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

I think PIA introduced regular scheduled jet flights for Skardu in 1985 with the induction of Boeing 737-300 in airline's fleet.

PIA Boeing 737-300 performed test flight to/from Chitral also at that time but that aircraft type's regular service was not introduced for Chitral for some techincal reason.

Abbas
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

PAF C-130 flight to Gilgit from Islamabad today for PIA flight PK-605 passengers has been cancelled due to bad weather.

Abbas
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
ammad
Registered Member
Posts: 1710
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:52 am
Location: San Francisco. C.A.
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by ammad »

Abbas Ali wrote:I think PIA introduced regular scheduled jet flights for Skardu in 1985 with the induction of Boeing 737-300 in airline's fleet.

PIA Boeing 737-300 performed test flight to/from Chitral also at that time but that aircraft type's regular service was not introduced for Chitral for some techincal reason.

Abbas
Skardu Airport got Military importance after Siachen conflict in 1984. Militarty want Airport that can handle Jet Aircraft, Army Personnel routinely travel on ISB-KDU flight.
Fortune favours brave.
pk363
Registered Member
Posts: 777
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:07 am
Location: Dubai, UAE

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by pk363 »

Abbas Ali wrote:
pk363 wrote:Why only chitral and gilgit? Why not to include turbat, pangur, gawadar?
Apparently because road travel links for Gilgit and Chitral are affected/blocked by snow in winters.

Travelers to/from other cities across Pakistan served by PIA ATR flights can opt to travel by road or railway till the resumption of airline's flights.

Abbas
Ok sounds a good reason but do you have any idea how long its takes form Gawadar, Panjgur etc. to Karachi or Quetta when travelling by road?
ammad
Registered Member
Posts: 1710
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:52 am
Location: San Francisco. C.A.
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by ammad »

You can use google map to put to get Distance from Gawadar to KHI, It is arround 11 Hours drive from Karachi.
Fortune favours brave.
pk363
Registered Member
Posts: 777
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:07 am
Location: Dubai, UAE

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by pk363 »

ammad wrote:You can use google map to put to get Distance from Gawadar to KHI, It is arround 11 Hours drive from Karachi.
I am from Balochistan and know the distances as well as state of highways, travel time, en route issues last but not the least the health facilities in these remote areas. I also know the impacts of the low level but persistent insurgency. The people have very high dependence on their air link with Karachi for their survival, unlike Gilgit/Skardu which have much better local infra and facilities. I am not sure but believe KK Highway and Lowari tunnel provide all weather access to NA and Chitral.

I expect govt. at Fed level to treat all parts of country with equality so if relief is planned for people in one part, same should be considered for others.
User avatar
Abbas Ali
Site Admin
Posts: 52154
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:52 pm
Location: Pakistan
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by Abbas Ali »

PIA Islamabad to Gilgit flights PK-605 and PK-607 and Islamabad to Chitral via Peshawar flight PK-660 cancelled today, maybe due to bad weather?

PK-605 & 607.
Image

PK-660.
Image

Source: islamabadairport.com.pk

Abbas
Dil Dil Pakistan... Jaan Jaan Pakistan

See you at:
Image
ammad
Registered Member
Posts: 1710
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:52 am
Location: San Francisco. C.A.
Contact:

Re: Government Contacts PAF for the Operation of C-130 Flights for Chitral and Gilgit

Post by ammad »

pk363 wrote:
Abbas Ali wrote:
pk363 wrote:Why only chitral and gilgit? Why not to include turbat, pangur, gawadar?
Apparently because road travel links for Gilgit and Chitral are affected/blocked by snow in winters.

Travelers to/from other cities across Pakistan served by PIA ATR flights can opt to travel by road or railway till the resumption of airline's flights.

Abbas
Ok sounds a good reason but do you have any idea how long its takes form Gawadar, Panjgur etc. to Karachi or Quetta when travelling by road?
But the way you are asking i thought you have no idea how long will it take to travel from Gawadar to Karachi by road. Also, Lowari tunnel is not yet operational so people of Chitral are facing four month cut off from rest of the country in winter season.
Fortune favours brave.
Post Reply