KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s President Muhammad Haroon Agar has stated that air transport has become crucial to facilitate businesses and trade. With phenomenal growth in air travelling, the importance of air transport is increasing every day. Business community of Pakistan needs economical, time saving and quality air transport and air cargo facility for both East and West-bound destinations.
Exchanging views with Amer Khan, Area General Manager Pakistan, Etihad Airways, he stated that it is need of the hour to revamp the national carrier and upgrade aviation/airport infrastructure at major cities including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to contribute in the economic prosperity of the country along with creating employment opportunities and facilitating businesses, commerce, trade and tourism industry. He emphasised upon introducing meaningful aviation policy to uplift the national carrier and aviation business to the same heights which Pakistan enjoyed in the past. He appreciated that the progress and prosperity in the neighbouring countries particularly Middle East is due to the fact that the aviation infrastructure was fortified with special attention on tourism. He admired that the carriers from Middle East, including the national carrier of UAE – Etihad Airways which were providing better services to the business community of Pakistan.
Amer Khan, Area General Manager Pakistan, Etihad Airways presented compliments and gratitude to President KCCI for according an appointment, providing him an opportunity to apprise about Etihad Airways. He informed that the purpose of his visit was to inform and offer KCCI members Etihad Airways’ Business Connect package designed for frequent travellers which offers additional reward points. The company was also spending on various welfare projects under its CSR programme in Pakistan. He told President KCCI that Etihad Airways was providing quality services to Pakistanis travelling between Pakistan and various countries via Abu Dhabi. Air cargo services between two countries were also offered. He stated that Etihad Airways is state-owned enterprise and aims to become the best airline. The airline was operating daily from Karachi and various frequencies from Lahore and Islamabad to Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Shamim Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI, Nasir Mehmood, Vice President and Managing Committee Members of KCCI also participated in the meeting.