‘’ Markhor مارخور‬’’ screw horn goat gets wings’’ TO FLY WITH PIA ‘’HIS FIRST FLIGHT’’ SUCCESSFULLY LANDS AT NEW ISLAMABAD AIRPORT
BY;ASGHAR ALI MUBARAK

ISLAMABAD: The ‘’ Markhor مارخور‬’’ screw horn goat gets wings’’ TO FLY WITH PIA’’ Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) formally added ‘’Markhor’’ as a portrait of the on its aircraft, including a large one on the tail and two on the engines. The Markhor مارخور‬ also known as the screw horn goat, is a large species was classed by the IUCN as Endangered until 2015 when it was downgraded to Near Threatened, as their numbers have increased in recent years by an estimated 20% for the last decade. According to folklore, the Markhor مارخور‬’’ has the ability to kill a snake. Thereafter, while chewing the cud, a foam-like substance comes out of its mouth which drops on the ground and dries. This foam-like substance is sought after by the local people, who believe it is useful in extracting the poison from snakebites.The newly constructed Shaheed E Millat Liaquat Ali Khan International Airport will be inaugurated on by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for regular domestic and international flights. On 66th martyrdom anniversary Liaquat Ali Khan it was decided the newly Islamabad Airport is named Shaheed E Millat Liaquat Ali Khan International Airport. It is mentioned here that Shaheed E Millat Liaquat Ali Khan was a trusted friend and companion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during the entire movement of Pakistan. Shaheed E Millat Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan was a great Pakistani politician and the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, as well as Defense Minister. He rose to his political stature as a member of the All-India Muslim League, playing an important role in the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. On his first test flight the PIA’s A320 take off from Benazir Bhutto International Airport at 12:30pm as PK-9001 and successfully touched down at the recently constructed New Islamabad International Airport on Saturday 7th April 2018 at 1pm successfully. The test flight PK-9001 piloted by Captain Bajrani with first officers Hamad Khan,Muddasir Mushtaq and Steward Peter Inayat took off from Benazir International Airport and successfully landed at the new Islamabad airport. The PIA chief executive officer Musharraf Rasool Cyan was also present in the flight to observe the mock exercise. The PIA management decided to conduct the mock exercise of landing a passenger plane and handling the passengers’ check-in by its staff, crew members, customs, Airport Security Force, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and other relevant agencies before the grand opening of the airport on 20th April 2018. Located at 30km from Islamabad the construction on the new airport was started in April 2007. The PIA president and CEO Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan was on the board to assess the operational ability of the new airport Islamabad. The old Benazir Bhutto International Airport control will be transferred to the new airport between 19th April 2018.The “Y” shaped new airport spreads over 19 square kilometers with 15 jetties (passenger boarding bridges), including facilities to accommodate two double-deck A380, the world’s largest airplane, 15 remote bays and seven remote bays for small aircraft such as ATRs. It is also the biggest international airport in the country in terms of landing and passenger handling facilities. For the 15 bays, the same numbers of lounges have been built to avoid mixing of passengers. The new airport has two runways each 3.5 km long. The Pakistan international Airline PIA is the Pride of Pakistan, Prestige the Skies, honors of Pakistani nation and the symbol of dignity of PIA workers. we proud on our national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, once again made history as it successfully landed the first test flight at the new Islamabad Airport. We will continue our efforts high lights the soft image of Pakistan to fly with PIA because ‘’Great Peoples fly with PIA’’ and will continued to support through our write up to improvements till Pakistan international Airline PIA reach the highest skies. On the first test flight at the new Islamabad Airport we found smiling faces incurable friendly cabin crew delicious food, traditional Pakistani hospitality for a wonderful smooth flight. Now the Airport is ready to officially inaugurate on April 20 for regular domestic and international flights. The old Benazir Bhutto International Airport control will be transferred to the new airport on 20th April 2018.More over interestingly the The ‘’Markhor’’ مارخور’’‬ also known as the screw horn goat, is a large species of wild goat that is found in central Pakistan and in the Himalayas. The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan. The font of the PIA logo has also been changed and it has been added to the belly so it is visible when the aircraft is flying overhead. The previous livery was introduced 10 years ago and needed to be changed, said PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar, adding that these changes were part of the airline’s transformation and strategic business plan in order to give it a new and pleasant look. “This is the first brand change in 10 years. Markhor is our national animal which can be found in the mountainous regions of Pakistan,” he said. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan formally inaugurated the new livery and the portrait of the Markhor. The senior officials of the PIA and Civil Aviation, including Secretary Aviation Irfan Elahi, PIA President and CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan, COO Zia Qadir, CCO Bilal Munir Sheikh, Chief Technical Officer Amir Ali and HR Chief Asma Bajwa, were also present on the occasion. Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan said PIA had taken a progressive step to rebuild its image and that it is one of the endeavors’ to rebrand PIA. He said the move also reiterates the country’s commitment to the preservation of the Markhor.Mr Cyan said the PIA management will be upgrading the level and standard of facilities it offers.“I appreciate this effort of rebranding the airline’s image. Markhor is the national animal, it is a fighter and does not lose heart in hard times,” said the adviser on aviation.