Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has restarted direct flights between Dubai and the scenic Skardu district in northern Pakistan, the Pakistani consulate in Dubai announced on Friday. The move aims to boost tourism to one of the country’s most picturesque regions.
Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Skardu is renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes and is home to five of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters. In January, CNN ranked the area among the top 25 travel destinations worldwide for 2025.
To celebrate the relaunch of the Dubai-Skardu route—originally introduced in August 2023—a ceremony was held at the PIA office in Dubai. The event was attended by Pakistani Consul General Hussain Muhammad, along with other dignitaries and officials.
“PIA Regional Manager Mr. Sarmad Aizaz and his team hosted the event, marking this important step toward enhancing tourism and strengthening ties between the UAE and Pakistan,” the consulate said in a statement.
Members of a foreign tourist group who were on the inaugural flight also took part in the celebration, highlighting the growing international interest in Pakistan’s northern regions.
This development follows PIA’s recent announcement of direct flights from Lahore to Paris, with the inaugural flight set for June 18.
In a major milestone earlier this year, PIA resumed operations to Europe after a four-and-a-half-year suspension was lifted by EU regulators, making it the only airline currently offering direct routes between Pakistan and the European Union.