RAWALPINDI: As a precautionary measure to halt the spread of coronavirus in the country, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Monday announced it was closing down Karachi and Sukkur airports from Tuesday (today) until April 4.

A NOTAM (notice to airmen) issued by the PCAA said that Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and Sukkur Airport will be closed for all types of incoming and outgoing domestic flights with effect from Tuesday, March 24.

After the closure of flight operation from Karachi, the domestic flights to and from Karachi will be suspended; however, some flights are still operating in other airports according to aviation law.

But authorities concerned are reviewing the circumstances emerging in Punjab after it announced a lockdown in the province to contain the fast-spreading virus.

Meanwhile, PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said that PIA’s domestic operation had been suspended due to the cancellation of flights from Karachi.

“These are difficult times for the country and the airline but the whole world is suffering and we are no different,” he said.

“Right now the priority for the airline is the safety of citizens and that takes precedence over everything else,” he added.

“We have to fight this together,” he said adding that two domestic flights were cancelled on Monday.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2020