(PAKISTAN) Iran and Pakistan have agreed to a major upgrade of their air links in 2025, finalizing a new air services agreement and follow-on accords that lift old limits and open the door to many more flights. The deal, signed in Islamabad in early August 2025 during high-level talks, boosts permitted capacity to 24 weekly services for each side, removes earlier route restrictions, and sets up deeper cooperation in air navigation and training. Officials say the package takes effect right away and supports broader trade and travel goals between the neighbors.
New direct routes and immediate traveler impact
The most visible change for travelers is the launch of new direct routes.
- Iran Air has started a Mashhad–Karachi service, giving religious travelers, families, and traders a faster option connecting two of the region’s busiest cities.
- Iran Air Tour has begun direct flights to Islamabad, a first for that city pair.
Both carriers framed these moves as a boost to tourism and business. Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, publicly announced the start of these services and said they would help bring fares down while saving time for passengers.
How the agreement came together
The July 2025 capacity increase to 24 weekly services per side followed talks tied to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan. He was joined by Iran’s transport minister and the head of the Civil Aviation Organization.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif oversaw the signing ceremony in August and called the air deal a milestone that fits with the countries’ push for closer economic ties and regional links. A supplemental mechanism to the earlier 2013 air services agreement was also signed in August 2025, modernizing the framework to fit current market needs.
Main provisions and operational freedoms
Under the new arrangement, airlines on both sides gain more freedom to pick routes and schedules.
- Regulators have cleared more weekly flights and removed older limits that blocked certain city pairs.
- Carriers can add point-to-point routes that cut out extra stops.
- The agreement includes expanded technical cooperation such as more training and shared work on air navigation.
Aviation experts say these measures can improve safety and reduce delays and allow carriers to add services where there is real demand.
Broader political and economic context
Officials say the air agreement is part of a broader push to bring the two economies closer after security tensions in early 2024, which included cross-border strikes and sharp rhetoric. Since then, both governments have emphasized trade, transport, and border coordination.
The August package includes 12 agreements and MoUs covering:
- plant protection
- border management
- mutual recognition of product certification
- science and technology
- a tourism cooperation plan for 2025–2027
Aviation, officials note, is a quick way to deliver a visible win for citizens on both sides.
Trade and economic implications
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the timing is deliberate. The two countries have finalized a Free Trade Agreement targeting $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2028, and better air links help move business travelers, samples, and light cargo.
Economists and industry stakeholders expect:
- Lower travel times and reduced costs for firms
- More predictable cross-border deals
- Increased tourism for religious trips, medical visits, and family travel
- Direct flights driving steadier demand and more reliable schedules
Pakistan’s policy shifts supporting the deal
Pakistan’s aviation policy has shifted to support the new deal. Under the National Aviation Policy (NAP 2019), authorities loosened rules that once kept some domestic carriers from operating international routes.
- The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has designated more airlines for international operations, including Serene Air and Airblue, provided they comply with NAP 2019 and bilateral terms.
- This makes it easier for Pakistani airlines to compete on routes to Iran and add capacity where needed.
Iran’s regional aviation strategy
Iran is pursuing similar cooperation with other neighbors, including talks with Armenia, suggesting a wider regional plan to grow air links.
- Iran’s expanding network can feed regional hubs while supporting secondary city pairs like Mashhad–Karachi.
- Secondary links especially benefit travelers outside capital cities by reducing long road journeys or multiple plane changes.
Why the 2013 framework needed updating
The 2013 air services agreement set a modest framework that no longer matched market realities or the two governments’ ambitions.
- The August 2025 supplemental mechanism allows more flights, wider route choices, and deeper technical ties.
- Standard safeguards on safety and security remain and will be enforced.
- Regulators will review the agreement’s performance and adjust as demand and operations evolve.
Real-world benefits for travelers and businesses
Aviation observers highlight practical examples of impact:
- A textile exporter in Karachi can take a direct two-day trip to Iran instead of connecting through a third country.
- A family in Mashhad planning a medical visit to Karachi can book a same-day journey.
- Religious travelers avoid overnight layovers, reducing cost and hassle.
- Students and small business owners gain time savings that can make travel feasible.
“More regular flights mean more face-to-face meetings, more steady tourism cash for small hotels and restaurants, and a signal to markets that the relationship is on a steadier path.”
Industry groups also expect the removal of route limits to help airlines plan more efficient fleets and crews, which can improve on-time performance and safety culture over time.
Stakeholder messages and industry expectations
Key stakeholders have framed the move broadly:
- President Masoud Pezeshkian: connectivity supports culture and trade.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: emphasized regional links and jobs.
- Tourism operators: expect higher traffic for pilgrimage routes and city breaks, urging airlines to publish stable winter schedules.
Practical operational changes already visible:
- Airlines can mount up to 24 weekly flights each.
- Pakistan’s CAA manages designations and slot coordination in line with NAP 2019.
- Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization is collaborating with Pakistani counterparts on air navigation procedures that can cut fuel burn and reduce holding times.
Safeguards, monitoring, and next steps
While the agreement is wide-ranging, officials stress that basic rules still apply:
- Airlines must meet safety and security standards.
- Regulators will periodically review performance, monitor traffic, and adjust capacity as needed.
- Training cooperation will be assessed for its contribution to safety and efficiency.
Both governments say this is not the end point. They are discussing:
- more border markets
- transport projects
- further aviation steps if demand continues to grow
Success will depend on steady schedules, fair pricing, and continuous coordination between civil aviation authorities.
Practical advice for travelers and businesses
For travelers and businesses ready to act now, the advice is straightforward:
- Check the new direct options first, especially the Iran Air route on Mashhad–Karachi and the Iran Air Tour service to Islamabad.
- Compare total travel time as well as price, since direct flights can save money when factoring extra stops and overnight stays.
- Watch for seasonal schedule changes, especially during holiday periods and pilgrimage seasons when demand spikes.
Regulatory and operational updates are posted by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, which provides official notices for airlines and the public. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization shares parallel updates for Iranian carriers and agreements. Industry analysts expect both regulators to issue periodic guidance as the air services agreement rolls out and traffic patterns take shape.
Outlook
The air deal’s wider impact will become clearer over the next year.
- If traffic grows as expected, carriers may add frequencies or deploy larger aircraft on core routes.
- If some routes underperform, the flexible framework allows shifting capacity to stronger city pairs.
Either way, the new structure gives more room to adjust based on real demand—a key change from the tighter rules in place since 2013.
For now, the headline is simple: more flights, more choice, and fewer limits. With the new air services agreement in force and fresh routes already operating, Iran and Pakistan have taken a practical step that supports trade targets, helps families and firms plan trips with less hassle, and signals a turn toward steady, day-to-day cooperation. For many travelers, the start of direct services—especially the Iran Air link on Mashhad–Karachi—will be the first, most tangible change they notice.
This Article in a Nutshell
In August 2025 Iran and Pakistan signed a supplemental air services agreement increasing permitted capacity to 24 weekly flights per side, removing prior route limits, and enabling greater operational freedom. The accord, concluded during high-level visits including Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, immediately allowed new direct routes: Iran Air launched Mashhad–Karachi and Iran Air Tour began Islamabad services. The package also includes 12 MoUs covering border management, plant protection, product certification recognition, science and technology, and a tourism cooperation plan for 2025–2027. Officials and analysts say the deal supports a $10 billion bilateral trade goal by 2028, improves travel times, aids businesses, and strengthens aviation cooperation on navigation and training while maintaining safety safeguards.
