KARACHI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has extended the ban on domestic and international flights till 30th April amid coronavirus threats.
CAA Director Air Transport issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) regarding extension in the suspension of flight operations. As per the decision, the suspension of the flight operations as effected earlier has been extended up to the designated date.
Earlier today, the federal government permitted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to partially continue its flight operations to the United Kingdom only to help bring back citizens stranded 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.
Last month, the special flight carrying 300 Canadian nationals left for Toronto via Pakistan from Lahore airport. Pakistani authorities also granted permission to operate a chartered flight on the request of the US Embassy to transport US citizens, American and British diplomats.
A special plane arrived from Cairo at the Karachi airport to airlift the US citizens including members of the US embassy in Pakistan. The flight MSR-3200 was allowed to land at the airport on special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It carried 135 passengers including 16 members of the embassy team.
Read more: PIA increases international relief flights for stranded nationals
