RAWALPINDI: The government has decided to repatriate more than 3,000 Pakistanis stranded in Saudi Arabia by 16 special flights to be operated by the Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines from June 1 to 10.

The government has also decided to enhance domestic flights operation from 20-22 per cent of what was before the coronavirus outbreak to 40-45pc.

The Aviation Division said the decision had been taken in view of the increasing public demand for air travel and the smart lockdown being observed by the federal and provincial governments. It said the decision was the outcome of people’s confidence because of the best possible health precautions adopted both at airports and by airlines.

The enhanced flight operation would start on June 1 from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

Government decides to enhance domestic flights operation

Following the government’s plan to repatriate stranded Pakistanis, PIA and Saudi Arabian Airlines have planned 16 flights.

According to the schedule, these flights will land at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Peshawar airports from June 1 to 10.

According to the officials, nine flights of PIA and seven flights of Saudi Arabian Airlines have been included in the schedule.

The first flight of Saudi Arabian Airlines will bring back passengers to Peshawar’s Bacha Khan Airport, while PIA flights will land at Multan airport on June 2 and June 3.

On June 3, two Saudi Arabian Airlines flights will land at Karachi airport, while another one will arrive at Bacha Khan Airport.

On June 4, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight will bring back passengers to Islamabad airport. On June 5, a flight of the same airline will bring passengers from Saudi Arabia to Karachi.

On June 6, a PIA flight will reach Peshawar’s Bacha Khan Airport from Saudi Arabia. On June 7, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight will reach Karachi.

On June 8, three separate flights of PIA will land at Lahore, Multan and Peshawar airports.

On June 9, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight will fly from Saudi Arabia to Lahore while the next PIA flight will reach Multan on the same day. On June 10, a PIA flight from Saudi Arabia will land at Karachi airport and another flight will land at Multan airport.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2020