PIA, Kam Air Launch Islamabad Transit Link For Afghan Travellers.
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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Afghanistan’s Kam Air have finalized an interline cooperation agreement to establish a seamless transit corridor connecting Afghanistan to key Middle Eastern markets through Islamabad. The partnership enables travelers originating in Kabul to book unified, single-ticket itineraries to the Gulf, eliminating the friction of multi-booking administrative hurdles. Key operational features of the agreement include:Direct Baggage Transfer: Checked luggage originating in Kabul is automatically transferred to connecting PIA flights at Islamabad International Airport, removing the need for passengers to manually collect and recheck bags. Airside Transit Exemption: Afghan passengers traveling onward to Gulf destinations can remain entirely within the international airside transit area, successfully bypassing Pakistani immigration clearance. Route Rollout: The first operational phase activates the Kabul-Islamabad-Dammam corridor targeting eastern Saudi Arabia, with a second phase slated to expand into high-demand regional destinations such as Madinah, Muscat, and Al Ain.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Afghanistan’s Kam Air have entered into an interline cooperation agreement to provide Afghan travellers with a streamlined transit connection to key Middle Eastern destinations through Islamabad.
Under the arrangement, passengers can book their complete journey on a single reservation, rather than purchasing separate tickets for each flight. Checked baggage will also be transferred directly from Kabul to the connecting PIA flight at Islamabad International Airport, eliminating the need for passengers to collect and recheck their luggage.
The agreement also allows Afghan passengers travelling onward to Gulf destinations to remain airside during transit in Pakistan, meaning they can bypass Pakistani immigration clearance as long as they do not leave the international transit area.
The first route under the arrangement is Kabul-Islamabad-Dammam, providing Afghan travellers and diaspora workers with a connection to eastern Saudi Arabia. The new service uses Islamabad as a transit hub between Afghanistan and the Middle East.
PIA said the airlines plan to expand the cooperation in a second phase to other high-demand Gulf destinations, including Madinah, Muscat and Al Ain. The expansion is expected to serve religious travellers, workers and business passengers.
The agreement could strengthen Islamabad’s role as a regional aviation transit point while providing Afghan passengers with a simpler alternative for reaching Gulf markets. The single-ticket arrangement also reduces the administrative burden associated with separate bookings and baggage handling.
The development comes as air connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains an important regional link, particularly with land routes facing ongoing constraints. Kam Air currently operates scheduled flights between Kabul and Islamabad, while Ariana Afghan Airlines also serves the route.
For PIA, the cooperation provides an opportunity to increase transit traffic through Islamabad and expand its connectivity to the Gulf without requiring a direct PIA service from Kabul to every destination.
