RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officially launched its international operations from the newly inaugurated Gwadar International Airport on Friday, with the first flight (PK-197) taking off for Muscat with 39 passengers onboard.

A spokesman for PIA said the national flag carrier maintained its tradition by operating the inaugural flight from the new airport. Local PIA officials were presentatthe airporttosee offthe passengers.

Initially, he said, PIA would operate one flight per week to Muscat. Due to the relatively low number of passengers, PIA will be using an ATR aircraft for this route. However, if passenger numbers increase, an Airbus plane will be deployed.

He said PIA is committed to expanding air operations across the country, in line with national aspirations and the public`s travel needs.