Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI- Recently, Pakistan International Airlines (PK), or PIA allowed to operate flights to Europe after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban and now it expects the same from the United States (US) and eyes New York Flights with Boeing 777 fleet. According to reports, PIA will restart flights to Paris, Milan, and Manchester immediately. PIA is also considering resuming services to Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam in the coming months. Before the EASA ban, PIA operated routes to several European cities, including Birmingham, Bradford, Barcelona, and London. Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted the airline’s recent performance,…

ISLAMABAD: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has officially lifted the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe after nearly four years, announced Defence Minister and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday. Taking to social media platform X, Asif celebrated the decision, terming it a “momentous day” for Pakistan’s aviation sector. “The European Commission and EASA have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe. Additionally, Airblue Limited has also received Third Country Operators (TCO) authorization,” he wrote. The minister credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for implementing significant reforms in the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority…

ISLAMABAD: The INTI Pakistan Networking Dinner 2024, held at the Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi, brought together an inspiring assembly of INTI University alumni, industrial leaders, and academic professionals. Organized by INTI University Malaysia, the event underscored the critical role of education, international collaboration, and the expanding talent exchange between Pakistan and Malaysia. Representing Vaga Tales Travel Company, Holiday Weekly, and the Asian Business Forum, the gathering highlighted the collaborative spirit between the two nations. His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, delivered a keynote address that resonated with the audience. Drawing from the legacy of…

KARACHI: Pakistan Railways has reported an unprecedented surge in revenue, achieving a historic benchmark in its financial performance, ARY News reported. According to Pakistan Railways CEO Aamir Ali Baloch, the state-owned enterprise generated Rs 33 billion in revenue over the past five months, reflecting a 14 percent (pc) year-on-year growth compared to the Rs 29 billion recorded during the same period last year. This represents an incremental revenue gain of over Rs 4 billion, underscoring enhanced operational efficiency and strategic revenue optimization. In addition, the CEO highlighted encouraging prospects for the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, indicating that groundwork is expected…

GRINE: The 4th ECO Experts Group Meeting on Ecotourism, hosted by the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot State was held in Girne city on 25 November 2024 in hybrid mode. The event brought together leading experts from ECO members states to discuss strategies for promoting sustainable and ecofriendly tourism and preserving natural and cultural heritage. Delegates from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan, as well as Turkish Cypriot State attended the meeting. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC represented Pakistan in this meeting. Discussions at the meeting focused on nature tourism best practices in…

RAWALPINDI: ( Report By Kiran Aslam) The Belgian Business Contact Day and Catalogue Exhibition, organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), served as a pivotal platform for enhancing economic collaboration between Pakistan and Belgium. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Charles-Idesbald Van Der Gracht De Rommerswael, Ambassador of Belgium, alongside key dignitaries including Mr. Laurent De Greef (First Secretary Political), Mr. Gilles Hachez (First Secretary Consular), Trade Commissioner Abid Hussain, RCCI President Usman Shaukat, and other notable officials. In his address, Ambassador Van Der Gracht De Rommerswael underscored Belgium’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan across sectors…

LONDON: The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has said he is “happy to look into” the possibility of a tourist tax in London’s hotels. It follows cross-party calls earlier this week for a small charge on visitors to the capital. The mayor said his team would be examining the evidence from Manchester, where similar charges have been introduced, as well as other European cities. UKHospitality, a trade body representing the sector, said additional taxes would be “extremely damaging”. Existing levies vary depending on the city and quality of accommodation. Visitors to Barcelona, staying in a four-star hotel for example, pay…

WELLINGTON: New Zealand is exploring the idea of charging both domestic and international tourists to visit national parks and public lands, home to many of the country’s iconic scenic spots. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced on Friday in Wellington that the government is inviting feedback on several proposals aimed at modernizing the management of these areas. The consultation covers ways to regulate and enhance commercial tourism access and other business activities, along with measures to better protect natural sites. “We’re also seeking input on a proposal to introduce access fees for certain public conservation areas,” Potaka said, noting that such…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering a government-to-government (G2G) sale of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after a failed attempt to privatize the struggling national flag carrier. This decision comes after the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP), led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, rejected a PKR 10 billion bid from Blue World City, which was significantly below the minimum price of PKR 85.03 billion, according to an official source. The rejected bid, which sought a 60% stake in PIA, has prompted the government to explore alternative strategies, including direct G2G arrangements with nations such as Qatar, China, and Gulf…

KARACHI: We are thrilled to introduce Ms. Kiran Aslam as the Bureau Chief of Islamabad and Northern Areas for Holiday Weekly! Kiran is an inspiring travel enthusiast, the CEO & Founder of VagaTales, a successful travel company creating unforgettable journeys for over seven years. A lifetime member of the Asian Business Forum, she brings exceptional expertise and a fervent passion for tourism to this new role. With 12+ years of experience in Finance, HR, and diverse industries, Kiran’s love for travel began with a solo European adventure. From the majestic fjords of Norway to Pakistan’s stunning northern regions, she has…