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GLASGOW Airport today landed Scotland's first direct flights to Pakistan.
Two years after it first proposed the route, Pakistan International Airlines will next month start flying from the city to Lahore and Islamabad.
The twice-weekly service will be a huge boost to Glasgow's reputation as Scotland's long-haul gateway.
PIA decided to go ahead with its announcement despite last week's earthquake disaster.
And it will provide Scotland's Pakistani community with their easiest way of visiting friends and family at a time when the nation needs their support the most.
The decision is a real landmark - Pakistan is only Glasgow's second long-haul Asian route.
Tariq Bukhari, the airline's general manager in Britain, said: "This is a milestone for Scotland and our airline.
"We look forward to developing a real presence in Glasgow."
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "This is great news for Glasgow and for Scotland.
"The cultural and business opportunities associated with a direct link to Pakistan are huge and this service from Glasgow strengthens Scotland's international standing."
PIA will come as a direct rival to Emirates, which flies daily from Glasgow to Dubai and onwards to south and east Asia and Australasia.
The PIA planes will even stop in Dubai, offering the chance of cut-price visits to the Gulf state and its booming tourist centres.
PIA has still to work out fares but they are likely to be around £350 return to Islamabad.
Glasgow Airport today confirmed flights would begin on November 16.
The flights to Lahore via Dubai will leave Glasgow at 6.45pm every Wednesday, arriving in Pakistan the next day.
The in-bound Wednesday flight will leave Lahore at 12.45am, arriving at Glasgow at 5pm.
The second service, to Islamabad via Dubai, will leave Glasgow at 9.30pm every Saturday, arriving in Pakistan at 2.15pm on the Sunday.
The in-bound Saturday flight will leave Islamabad at 12.15pm, arriving in Glasgow at 7.45pm.
GLASGOW Airport today landed Scotland's first direct flights to Pakistan.
Two years after it first proposed the route, Pakistan International Airlines will next month start flying from the city to Lahore and Islamabad.
The twice-weekly service will be a huge boost to Glasgow's reputation as Scotland's long-haul gateway.
PIA decided to go ahead with its announcement despite last week's earthquake disaster.
And it will provide Scotland's Pakistani community with their easiest way of visiting friends and family at a time when the nation needs their support the most.
The decision is a real landmark - Pakistan is only Glasgow's second long-haul Asian route.
Tariq Bukhari, the airline's general manager in Britain, said: "This is a milestone for Scotland and our airline.
"We look forward to developing a real presence in Glasgow."
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "This is great news for Glasgow and for Scotland.
"The cultural and business
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