PHOTO: FILE
RAWALPINDI / ISLAMABAD: As many as 332 passengers departed for Qatar on Wednesday by means of a particular flight of a non-public airline amid the suspension of flight operations in Pakistan.
The passengers boarded the Qatar Airways airplane after being completely screened, sources stated, including that the crew was restricted to the plane on the New Islamabad Worldwide Airport.
It’s pertinent to say that the federal government has suspended industrial flights operations in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, particular flights are being allowed to function to fly passengers stranded within the nation and overseas.
Sources added that SOPs have been adopted for the screening of passengers.
“The airlines, which want to fly passengers from Pakistan, can operate after getting special permission for bringing ‘free flights [without passengers]’,” Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) spokesperson Abdus Sattar Khokhar stated.
Nonetheless, different airways have suspended their flight operations, he stated, including:
“Only Qatar Airlines has restored its operation for which de-fumigation of aircraft is an essential prerequisite as per guidelines mentioned in the SOPs.”
Beneath the foundations, the crew shouldn’t be allowed to disembark from the plane and the airplane might solely fly to hold passengers and cargo baggage.
On complaints concerning additional charges being charged by the airways, the CAA spokesperson stated: “We have received such complaints. But it should be kept in mind that those airlines are coming here without passengers.”
Partial resumption of flights
Resuming flights operations partially, the Pakistan Worldwide Airways (PIA) has determined to function 4 particular flights from March 27 to take passengers to their dwelling international locations, a spokesperson stated.
Elaborating the flight schedule, the spokesperson stated that the nationwide flag service will function three flights from Islamabad and one from Lahore for the UK and Canada respectively.
On March 27, flight no. 781 will fly from Lahore for Toronto, Canada. On 28th, PK709 will fly for Manchester from Islamabad, 757 for London and for Birmingham flight 9791 will function
Abdul Hafeez, the PIA spokesperson, stated: “All flights will be operated one way that will return without passengers.” Bookings for the flights have been began and tickets are being bought on a primary come, first served foundation. Intending travellers are suggested to contact the PIA workplace or brokers for purchasing tickets.
Home flight
The federal government on Wednesday determined to allow home flight operation to/from the Islamabad Worldwide Airport (IIAP) for Gilgit and Skardu airports solely with impact from Thursday (in the present day) at 0600 hours.
Nonetheless, the suspension of all home flight operation to, from all different airports would stay efficient, stated a press launch issued right here. “This NOTAM will remain effective till April, 2 at 0600 hours,” it added.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)
