ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Senate was told on Tuesday that ATR planes are being used by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) only and are currently operated to Skardu, Gilgit, Chitral, Multan, Rahim-Yar-Khan, Bahawalpur, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, Dalbadin, Sukkur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mohenjo-Daro, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar & Lahore airports.
To a question, the Minister for Aviation Division Ghulam Sarwar Khan told the house in written that Quetta, Gwadar, Turbat, Dalbadin, Panjgur, Pasni and Zhob are the airports located in Balochistan, and out these airports ATR aircraft are being operated to / from Quetta, Gwadar, Turbat & Dalbadin.
The minister told that PIA operated ATR planes between Turbat and Gwadar but it is not operating between Quetta and Gwadar/Quetta and Panjgur due to the passenger load which is not enough to justify the routes economically.
However, he added, that PIA assured that they have a constant eye on the market indicators, traffic trends prevalent on these routes and will take necessary steps to star operations not only from Quetta to Gwadar and Panjgur but other routes as well.
Ghulam Sarwar also confirmed that currently there is no flight from Quetta to other parts/cities of Balochistan.
The minister told that PIA had been operating twice weekly flights between Gwadar and Quetta; however, it suspended it due to insufficient passenger load.
