Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to introduce direct flights to the Maldives once additional aircraft join its fleet, CEO Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat said. He discussed the proposed service with a Maldivian delegation led by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla at PIA’s head office. The two sides expect direct flights to strengthen tourism, trade and travel between Pakistan and the Maldives.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the sales tax exemption on the import or lease of aircraft and aircraft parts to all airlines registered in Pakistan. The authority has also rationalized the fixed federal excise duty imposed on club, business and first-class international air tickets, which could previously exceed the ticket price in certain cases. Under the revised rates, the duty is Rs50,000 for North America, Rs25,000 for the Middle East, and Rs40,000 each for Europe, the Far East and Australia.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths expects annual passenger traffic to reach around 70 million by the end of 2026, below the previous target of nearly 100 million. The forecast was revised after the Iran war and temporary Gulf airspace closures disrupted regional aviation. Dubai International Airport handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, compared with 46 million a year earlier. Griffiths said airport capacity has recovered to 84% of pre-war levels, while passenger numbers have returned to 78%. The original traffic target could now be achieved by the end of 2027.