Pakistan resumes outbound international flights after two months

In this photograph taken on April 26, 2018, Pakistani airport staff walk through the new Islamabad International Airport ahead of its official opening on the outskirts of Islamabad. (AFP)

• International travel was suspended on March 21, as a measure to contain the spread of coronavirus
• Airlines operating international flights will have to follow the SOPs of their destination countries

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday resumed outbound international flight operations after having its airspace closed for commercial flights for over two months.
PIA flight, PK701, departed the Islamabad International Airport for Manchester at 9:36 am, confirmed Abdullah Hafiz Khan, an airlines spokesperson, while talking to Arab News.
The outbound commercial flight operations resumed after the Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) issued a statement on Friday, saying: “Both national and foreign airlines shall be allowed to operate from all international airports of Pakistan with exception of Gwadar and Turbat.”
As the pandemic is not over, PCAA said airlines operating the flights will have to follow the standard operating procedures of their destination countries.
“SOPs for outbound international flights have already been issued according to which airlines will be required to follow the SOPs of the destination country. Additionally, disinfection of aircraft will be ensured and no congestion at airports shall be allowed,” the statement read.
International travel was suspended on March 21, as a measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Also on Friday, the PCAA said domestic flight volume would be increased, starting from June 1, to up to 45 percent of pre-pandemic operations from the current 20 percent, amid growing business and public demand for air travel.
Domestic flights resumed at five airports on May 16, when the country started to reboot economic activity and ease coronavirus restrictions on businesses.
The five airports are Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, Islamabad International Airport (IIAP), Quetta International Airport, and Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar.