ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been allowed to partially continue its flight operations to help bring back citizens stranded abroad.
According to Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, PIA has resumed partial flight operation to and from the United Kingdom and regular flights will depart for London, Manchester, and Birmingham from tomorrow.
PIA has also introduced special discounts on fares on humanitarian grounds. The price of a one-way ticket is Rs. 110,000 (£ 525) and passengers who have already booked flights will also be adjusted.
The flights are open for registration from today and booking will be done on a first come first serve basis. The government has also instructed to conduct coronavirus tests of every citizen arriving from abroad.
On the orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the international flights were suspended for two weeks in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Read more: PIA increases international relief flights for stranded nationals
There are over 400 stuck Pakistanis in the UK who are in desperate need of being repatriated to Pakistan and have faced multiple flight cancellations. Many of the passengers are old, vulnerable and have run out of money.
Previously, they were left with little to no support and assurances about the next flights but the decision to reopen flights has been welcomed by stranded Pakistanis.
ADVERTISEMENT
