Pakistan to resume international flight operations from Sunday

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane arrives at the Benazir International airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, December 2, 2015. (REUTERS/ File photo)

• The country has already restored most of its domestic flights from today
• International cargo, special flight operations also available at all airports subject to compliance with SOPs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to resume all international flights from August 9 midnight, said an official document issued by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority on Friday.
The country already restored domestic flights at all airports, with a few exceptions, on Thursday, reflecting its intent to return to the pre-coronavirus aviation operations.
In March, Pakistan shut all its schools and land borders and decided to close domestic and international flights and discourage large gatherings to try to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
“Government of Pakistan is pleased to allow all types of international passenger operations to/from all airports as available pre-COVID-19 i.e. March 17, 2020,” said the NOTAM.
“International scheduled flight operations to/from Pakistan will revert to authorizations as per Summer-20 scheduling season,” it added. “However, international flight operations shall be conducted in accordance with established guidelines and applicable SOPs. International cargo and special flight operations may also be conducted to/from Pakistan as per applicable SOPs.”
On Thursday, Planning Minister Asad Umar announced that virtually all sectors in Pakistan shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus would be reopened next week, other than schools and marriage halls which would open in September.
With infections and deaths down nearly 80 percent since their peak as per government records, the National Coordination Committee (NCC), the apex body set up to oversee coronavirus mitigation efforts, met on Thursday to decide on measures to help the country return to normalcy.
Umar announced that tourist destinations would open from August 8, restaurants, theaters and beauty salons from August 10 and schools and marriage halls from September 15. Shops would go back to pre-coronavirus timings from August 10.