PIA, Afghanistan’s Kam Air launch transit link via Islamabad

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier, and Afghanistan’s Kam Air have entered into an interline cooperation agreement, establishing a transit route via Islamabad to connect Afghan passengers with key destinations in the Middle East.

“This interline cooperation between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Afghanistan’s Kam Air establishes a streamlined transit route connecting Afghanistan to key destinations across the Middle East via Islamabad,” Abdullah Hafeez Khan, spokesperson at PIA, told Business Recorder.

Under the arrangement, passengers will be able to book their complete journey on a single reservation, avoiding the need to purchase separate tickets for each leg, while checked baggage will be transferred directly from Kabul to the connecting PIA flight at Islamabad International Airport, eliminating the need to collect and recheck bags during transit.

The arrangement also allows Afghan travellers heading to Gulf destinations to bypass immigration clearance in Pakistan as long as they remain airside in transit.

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The first route under the cooperation is Kabul-Islamabad-Dammam, providing a transit connection for Afghan travellers and diaspora workers heading to eastern Saudi Arabia.

The airlines plan to expand the arrangement in a second phase to other high-demand destinations across the Gulf, including Madinah, Muscat and Al Ain, catering to religious travellers, workers and business passengers.

“This partnership expands regional connectivity for Afghan travellers while utilising Islamabad as an operational air transit hub for South and West Asia,” said Hafeez