RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines has discontinued serving ‘hot beverages’ on domestic and international flights to limit interactions between passengers and crew as the travellers would be only served pre-packaged cold beverages.

A spokesman for the PIA said the move was part of reviewed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to limit the interaction between the cabin crew and passengers due to increase in Covid19 cases.

He said the passengers on domestic flights would be served with a pre-packaged box with cold beverage, instead of tea or coffee.

Like all major airlines, face coverings with masks are mandatory for passengers traveling by PIA to check the spread of Covid19.

According to sources, the PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) had approved the changes in meal service which had come into force from Nov16.

According to change in meal service, tray service should be immediately stopped in all sectors. In domestic sectors, only cold beverages will be served as no tea or coffee will be served, the PIA decided.

The airline decided to serve snacks, club sandwiches, chicken patties, one banana and muffin but no tea or coffee will be served in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sector.

On return flight club sandwiches, chicken patties, one banana and biscuit will be served.

Likewise, only snacks would be served on Kabul and Gulf country flights.

On the Far East and YYZ (Canada) menu will be as per food schedule in box service while on UK and CDG (Paris) chartered flight box service will be used.

The change in meal service in different sectors was made as part of precautionary measures and to reduce interaction between travellers and crew members.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2020