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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has postponed its direct flights to Sydney, which were scheduled to commence on April 22.
The Australian Homeland Affairs Department has decided to review security arrangements at the Lahore and Karachi Airports. It has sought for more time and advised PIA to cancel its first two flights till their review is complete.
PIA had received necessary permissions from Australian Civil Aviation Authority and flights were mounted in the system but the Australian Home Ministry wanted a detailed assessment of the security protocols at Karachi and Lahore airports.
“The PIA is postponing the first two flights until the review is completed,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said in a statement.
He said the PIA administration and the Pakistan High Commission were in constant contact with the Australian authorities and extending full cooperation in completing the security review.
The spokesman said passengers of the first two scheduled flights were being informed about the postponement of the flights through the PIA’s call centre.
PIA has announced direct non-stop flights to and from Sydney from April 22. The flights will initially be operated from Lahore to Sydney on Fridays and Sydney to Lahore on Sundays.
The national airline has plans to expand its network after relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions faced by the aviation industry. It has recently initiated flights to Baku from Karachi and Lahore.