
BEIJING: Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region has resumed regular direct passenger flights to Pakistan for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
China Southern Airlines resumed its regular passenger flights between Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, and Islamabad in Pakistan on Wednesday after three years of suspension due to COVID-19, CEN reported.
More than 160 passengers, mostly foreign students and business people, took flights to and from Islamabad on Wednesday, according to a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines in Xinjiang.
A passenger surnamed Xiang, who is involved in trade and regularly travels between China and Pakistan, said the resumption of direct services could greatly shorten travel times and help him seize market opportunities more quickly.
The airline is scheduled to operate one trip per week.