Serene Air (ER, Islamabad International) is looking to commence international operations during the first quarter of next year, regional director Nehal Akbar has said.

In an interview with Business Recorder, Akbar said Serene Air would qualify to start flights abroad once it had completed the addition of two more B737-800s into its fleet in February next year. The start-up commenced operations in January this year using a fleet of three B737-800s and currently serves Karachi International, Faisalabad, Islamabad International, Lahore International, Peshawar, and Quetta.

Akbar said initial flights abroad would focus on Saudi Arabia, Iraq and China. This growth, he said, will be underscored by the addition of a further three aircraft by year-end.