ISLAMABAD: After more than 60 years, Pakistan and Iran have reconnected through direct air travel, marking what officials on both sides hailed as a breakthrough for bilateral ties, tourism, and trade.
Iran Air Tour has launched a weekly service linking Islamabad and Tehran, with flights scheduled every Tuesday. The long-awaited connection was formally inaugurated on Thursday at Islamabad International Airport, where a large number of dignitaries, diplomats, and business representatives from both countries gathered to celebrate the occasion.
Speaking at the ceremony, Iran’s Deputy Head of Mission in Pakistan, Nabi Shirazi, said the revival of direct flights would “open new doors for tourism and people-to-people exchange,” particularly benefiting religious pilgrims, students, and business communities. He noted that the agreement enabling the service was finalised during Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Pakistan.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, also expressed optimism, predicting that the new route would give tourism “an unprecedented boost” by encouraging more Iranian travelers to explore Pakistan’s natural beauty and hospitality.
Zaheer Abbas Khan, Country Manager of Iran Air Tour, confirmed the airline’s commitment to regular operations, stressing that the weekly service is just the beginning. “We are confident this link will strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two nations,” he said.
The restored air corridor, dormant for six decades, is seen as a symbolic and practical step toward closer regional integration. Officials on both sides suggested that if demand grows, additional flights and expanded routes could follow.
