ISLAMABAD: Islamabad International Airport welcomed the first flight of Tajikistan’s Somon Air on Thursday as it started its flight operations in Pakistan.
The inaugural flight of Somon Air landed in Islamabad from Dushanbe. Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi and Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan Yusuf Sharifzoda extended a warm welcome to the 14 passengers from flight SMR-129 upon their arrival in Islamabad.
The aircraft was also presented a traditional water cannon salute by fire tenders from the Civil Aviation Rescue and fire-fighting service. The Shaheen Airport Services, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Air Force handled the flight.
A large cake-cutting ceremony was also held on the occasion. Shaheen Airport Services Executive Director Air Commodore (R) Wasim Ahmed Khan, General Manager Shaheen Airport Services Islamabad Air Cdre (retd) Shahid Nadeem, and the Chief Executive Officer of Somon Air expressed their joy over achieving a major milestone between the bilateral ties of the two friendly states.
The return flight of Somon Air, SMR-130, left from Islamabad to Dushanbe on the same day in the afternoon with 52 passengers on board. The launch of Somon Air’s flights will promote direct travel between Islamabad and Dushanbe, saving travel time.
The airline will operate once a week on Thursday, using Boeing 737 aircraft. The number of flights will be increased subsequently.
