Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its flight service between Lahore and Islamabad after one year as the first flight flew from the Punjab provincial capital to the federal capital on Friday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Lahore-Islamabad flight service remained suspended for a whole one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After the resumption of the service, the airline will operate three flights a week between Lahore and Islamabad.

The first flight PK-650 carrying 26 passengers on board took off from Lahore Airport to Islamabad Airport on Friday.

A cake-cutting event was also organised at the airport to celebrate the resumption of the service and later PIA Station Manager Ali Asghar Zaidi and other staff saw off the passengers.

The new flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The number of flights would be increased after a surge in the number of passengers.

Earlier in the week, the PIA had announced discounted fares for domestic flights with an aim to promote tourism in the spring season. The national carrier unveiled discounted fares for flights to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore.

The passengers have been offered reduced fares to travel through PIA while carrying 20-kilogram luggage at the price of Rs7,500 for one side, whereas, Rs8,500 will be charged for travelling with 40-kg luggage.

According to the PIA spokesperson, the new fares will come into effect immediately. The spokesperson said that the fares have been reduced to facilitate tourists and nationals during the spring season.