Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Outbound international flight operations are set to resume today, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority said Friday, a couple of weeks after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced an ease in the coronavirus lockdown, with the exception of Gwadar and Turbat airports.
In a notice to airpersons, the PCAA said the development to allow foreign ferry flights (non-passenger planes) was “as per the decision taken by the government of Pakistan”.
“All national and foreign carriers are permitted to start scheduled/non-scheduled and charter operations for outbound passengers only, with effect from May 29, 2020, 1900 UTC [12am local time, Saturday] from all international airports except Gwadar and Turbat airports,” the notice added.
It mentioned that foreign airlines would be able to take off from Pakistan’s airports with passengers. “The restrictions on inbound passenger operations into Pakistan shall continue. However, special permission is required from government of Pakistan by national, foreign carriers and charter operators for flights with inbound passengers on case-to-case basis.
“Additionally diplomatic, special, and cargo flights to/from Pakistan shall also be permitted. All airlines shall adhere to the standard operating procedures for international passenger and charter flights,” it added.
The notice also emphasised that the crew of foreign planes landing at Pakistani airports would not be allowed to disembark. Domestic flight operations had resumed in Pakistan from five major airports on May 16, as the country continued to gradually ease lockdown measures.
A PIA spokesperson had said the SOPs were strictly being observed to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
It was made mandatory for the passengers to wear masks and use hand sanitisers, they said, adding: “The airline is operating flights as part of its national duty.”In a video statement, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan had said 20% of domestic flights would resume from Saturday but in a limited capacity. The announcement came following a final decision taken by the National Command and Operations Centre.
