Pakistan International Airlines has announced to start flights between Kabul and Islamabad. The airline announced through its social media platforms that it is restarting flights. The airlines hopes to offer introductory fares of around $700 dollars. PIA is pinning its hopes to resume flights using its Airbus A320 AP-BLA that it is in process to induct into its fleet formally. PIA acquired the plane on 22 May 2015 and it was acquired on a 6 year dry lease agreement. The plane is parked since May this year and PIA is hopeful that it will be able to bring the plane back to life in the beginning of year.
PIA had to suspend its flights when its plane were caught in the chaos that ensued after the fall of Ashraf Ghani. After the fall of Ghani government and take over Taliban and departure of American forces the airline only operated chartered flights for international community.
Currently Kam Air is operating a 5 weekly flight schedule between Kabul and Islamabad. Afghanistan’s national airline Ariana International Airlines is operating two flights on weekly basis. PIA after initially operating flights by using its own Boeing 777s to manage insurance costs also operated some charter flights using its own ATR 42-500. Kam Air is selling its tickets from around $600 to $650 US dollars and on the other hand Ariana Airlines tickets costs around $400.
