Govt decides to resume international flight operations

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The federal government has decided to resume the international flight operations. A couple of weeks after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced an ease in the coronavirus lockdown, with the exception of Gwadar and Turbat airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Friday that outbound international flight operations are set to resume tomorrow (Saturday). In a notice to airpersons (NOTAM), the CAA said the development to allow foreign ferry flights (non-passenger planes) was "as per the decision taken by the government of Pakistan". “All national and foreign carriers are permitted to start scheduled/non-scheduled and charter operations for outbound passengers only, with effect from May 29, 2020, 1900 UTC [12am local time, Saturday] from all international airports except Gwadar and Turbat airports,” the notice added. It mentioned that foreign airlines would be able to take off from Pakistan's airports with passengers. “The restrictions on inbound passenger operations into Pakistan shall continue. However, special permission is required from government of Pakistan by national foreign carriers and charter operators for flights with inbound passengers on case-to-case basis. "Additionally diplomatic, special, and cargo flights to/from Pakistan shall also be permitted. All airlines shall adhere to the standard operating procedures [SOPs] for international passenger and charter flights," it added. The notice also emphasised that the crew of foreign planes landing at Pakistani airports would not be allowed to disembark.