KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has initiated flights from Pakistan to Fujairah, UAE, a statement said on Monday.

The first flight PK243, carrying 296 passengers took off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday morning.

A simple ceremony was held at the airport. The passengers of the maiden flight were seen off by PIA district manager Lahore Dr Abdul Muqaddam Khan and station manager Ali Abbas Shah along with other officials of the airline.

PIA will operate three flights a week to Fujairah with one flight each from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.the national flag carrier is the first airline to launch air service to Fujairah.

The passengers of the flight thanked PIA chief executive officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik and the airline’s marketing team for initiating flights to Fujairah.

The PIA will operate Boeing 777 aircraft for Fujairah flight operations.

The planned new services are part of the airline’s strategy to provide a door-to-door service for the Pakistani expatriate community in the two emirates, a PIA spokesperson said.