While Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) remains suspended flight operations to Europe, Turkish Airline has offered its services to transport Pakistani exports of fruit and vegetables to other nations.
According to exporters of fruit and vegetables, the Turkish airlines will charge lower freight charges for the transportation of Pakistani fruit and vegetables to England, Germany and other western countries and have assured that it will promote the promotion of Pakistani fruit and vegetable exports.
Previously, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) placed a six-month ban on PIA’s flight operations to Europe following allegations that approximately 262 pilots hold questionable flight licenses. The ban has created problems for Pakistani fruit and vegetable exports, among other issues.
In this regard, Commercial Counselor Bilal Khan Pasha, the Pakistani Embassy in Istanbul, met with Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci who promised that Turkish Airlines will resume its flight operations in Pakistan and assist in the export of fruit and vegetables to the European Union.
According to Waheed Ahmed, PIA had recently lowered freight charges to help exporters minimize the cost of export shipments, but after the six-month ban on PIA, exporters would have to use international airline services that could charge higher freight charges.
According to exporters, the need for a reduction in freight charges and the provision of special handling facilities for perishable cargo was stressed during the meeting with the Turkish Airlines GM to facilitate the export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables to Europe, UK, and Canada.
Exporters further stated that Pakistan ‘s economy is under enormous pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic which can be mitigated by boosting exports to the country. They promised exporters will be keen to export fruit and vegetables on a long-term basis through Turkish Airlines.
Extracted from City42 News
