Exclusive | Pakistan in talks with Cathay Pacific over resuming direct flights to Hong Kong, envoy says

Consul general Riaz Ahmed Shaikh says passenger demand supports resuming direct flights after 10-year hiatus

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The Pakistan Monument in the heart of Islamabad. The consulate in Hong Kong receives up to 100 applications for tourist visas every month, envoy Riaz Ahmed Shaikh says. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 1:00pm, 31 Aug 2024

This is the fourth in a series of interviews with consuls general of emerging and belt and road economies with which Hong Kong is keen to build ties. Here is the first, second and third.

Pakistan has been in talks with Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways about resuming direct flights between the country and the city after a 10-year hiatus, citing increased passenger demand and potential trade opportunities, its top envoy in the financial hub has revealed.

The Cathay Pacific route between Hong Kong and Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, was suspended following an attack on the Pakistani city’s airport in June 2014, with the airline citing “commercial reasons” for the cancellation.

In an exclusive interview with the Post, Pakistani consul general Riaz Ahmed Shaikh said the consulate had been “in contact” with Cathay regarding the resumption of routes.

“What we need to tell the airlines or convince them is that this route is not loss-making any more,” Shaikh said, arguing that “things have changed” in the 10 years since the cancellation of direct flights.

He cited China Southern Airlines’ existing flights between Guangzhou and Lahore – the capital of Punjab province – as an example of the increased demand.