Pakistani officials welcomed all British Airways passengers at Islamabad International Airport. (Radio Pakistan)

British Airways Lands First Flight in Pakistan After Decades of Suspension

British Airways finally resumes its flight route between London and Islamabad after more than a decade being suspended due to the following deadly bomb blasts.  Pakistan’s route was terminated after an attack in September 2008 at Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel that killed at least 54 people and injured many more, including six British citizens.

The inaugural flight was landed on Monday morning (6/4) at Islamabad International Airport, carrying 240 passengers with Boeing 787 Dreamliner just days before Muslim biggest holiday Eid Al Fitr. This was also the beginning of three times a week flight service between London and Islamabad operated by British Airways, which is the only Western airline to serve Pakistan.

The airline said it will offer ‘bespoke service’ including halal meal option in every class and ensuring that the ingredients used in meals served accordingly with Islamic terms that not include pork or alcohol. With the route being resumed, there has also been a considerable interest from British Pakistani and Urdu-speaking Pakistani cabin crew to work on the flights. As one of the crews working on the inaugural flight, Aftab Khan, said that it was a real honor for him to be chosen to operate the flight with his close family links to Pakistan.

Upon the arrival of the flight at Islamabad’s airport, Pakistani officials along with British High Commissioner welcomed the passengers.

According to a statement by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew, the resumption of British Airways flights to the country is said to be the company’s measure to join British companies doing business in Pakistan that have increased in recent years.

Source: https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2019/06/03/after-a-decede-first-british-airways-plane-lands-in-pakistan