Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will fly 23 special aircraft from 18 April to 20 April to bring back stranded Pakistanis from the UK, China, Algeria, Dubai and Indonesia. These special flights will operate from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar, although international flight operations have not been fully commenced.
A spokesman for the aviation department said that due to the limited facility of quarantine for passengers landing at Islamabad airport, a limited number of flights were being scheduled for other major cities as the quarantine facilities would be used in those cities.
The Civil Aviation Authority said that it has limited flight operations. It is being flown to bring back the trapped Pakistanis abroad. Apart from this, foreigners who are stranded in Pakistan are also being sent back by special aircraft, only a few such aircraft will be flown.
The CAA has already issued its reviewed SOP for international flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew (cockpit and cabin) and to reduce the risks associated with the covid-19 as all passengers and crew will be quarantined for a minimum period of 7 days. 'Quarantine period on reaching Pakistan and this period can be extended to 14 days depending on the results. Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-8223 will fly from Islamabad to Dubai and will leave for Faisalabad from Dubai on 19 April.
As per schedule, PIA flight PK203 will leave Dubai for Lahore and PK-204 will bring Pakistanis stranded in UAE back to Lahore. On 20 April, PIA flight PK-221 will be operated from Karachi to Dubai and PK-208 will return from Dubai to Karachi.
