ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: British Airways on Tuesday halted all flights to Pakistan for an indefinite period citing security concerns in the aftermath of the weekend bombing of Marriott Hotel.
“In light of the security situation in Pakistan, British Airways has cancelled its flights from Islamabad to Heathrow indefinitely,” it said in a statement.
“The safety and security of our customers, our staff and our operation is always our absolute priority.”
The airline operated six flights a week to Islamabad, its only destination in the country.
Sources in the airline said there were problems in finding secure accommodation for the crew. British Airways had its offices in Serena Hotel and its crew stayed there.
An official said the airline would reconsider its decision only when the country was safe to fly to.
The airline had earlier suspended its flights to Islamabad in Sept 2001. The flights were resumed in December 2003.
Meanwhile, all visa application centres of the British High Commission have been closed.
