Alveena Ahmad
A brand-new private Canadian airline, Zara Airways, has declared its intent to launch direct service from Toronto to three significant Pakistani cities in August.
From Toronto, the airline will operate three flights each week to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. Two Boeing 777 aircraft will be deployed at first, with the fleet size potentially expanding depending on demand.
Shaheen Airport Services has teamed with Zara Airways, which was created by Pakistani-Canadian businessman Faqir Bawar Hussain Bhakari, to provide ground services and other personnel.
The airline is working to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Canadian government before starting operations.
Bhakari enthusiastically welcomed the direct flights, highlighting how they will make travel between Pakistan and Canada more convenient and accessible, at a news conference in Karachi.
The CEO of the airline, Syed Qali, said that a variety of passengers, including travelers to Pakistan and Pakistani citizens living in Canada, would be served by the flights.
Additionally, talks are in progress with Air Canada on potential codesharing arrangements on specific routes, which would provide passengers with more travel choices.
Former Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) managing director Ejaz Haroon has joined Zara Airways as a consultant. For the benefit of older travelers who prefer to avoid connecting flights and long distances at large airports, Haroon emphasized the airline’s concentration on direct flights.
The goal is to make traveling from Canada to Pakistan more comfortable overall, but especially for families and older passengers.
