RAWALPINDI: As Saudi Arabia partially opened international flights, Pakistan’s national flag carrier announced its schedule to operate 23 flights to the kingdom from Sept 17 to Sept 30. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said though the national airlines had been operating flights from Saudi Arabia, after lifting of the suspension passengers will now be able to travel to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan.

He said due to heavy passenger load, PIA had sought permission to operate 28 more flights from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia from Sept 20 to 30 to facilitate Pakistani workers and their families stranded in Pakistan.

The spokesman said PIA had been operating 23 weekly flights for Saudi Arabia and sought permission to operate 28 more flights for Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam. People having residence of Saudi Arabia, iqama holders or on visit visas would be able to travel to the kingdom.

All passengers must have a fresh negative Covid-19 report obtained within 24 hours before traveling. PIA would be able to carry about 9,000 passengers on its flights if permission was granted to operate 28 more flights to the kingdom, the spokesman said.

He also said PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik held a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Malki and discussed matters pertaining to resumption of flight operations to the kingdom.

In March, many countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, partially suspended flight operations, imposed travel restrictions to help curb the spread of the coronavirus as airports were closed and incoming and outgoing flights suspended.

Flights to Kyrgyzstan

PIA has planned special flights to Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek to facilitate Pakistani students.

A large number of Pakistani medical students studying in Kyrgyzstan were brought back after the spread of the coronavirus and now they are planning to go back as their universities are resuming classes.

The PIA spokesman said 50 special flights would be operated to take the students back to Bishkek.

He said PIA had planned three to four flights a week from Pakistan to Bishkek and sought permission for it.

With the resumption of flights to Kyrgyzstan, PIA has also been searching for new destinations to expand its operations and promote tourism.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2020