The announcement coincides with a drop in the number of registered coronavirus cases
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased flights to the UAE, connecting Ras Al Khaimah to the South Asian country’s four major cities.
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The national carrier started operating flights from Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi to the northern emirate from August 28.
This will provide a major relief to Pakistanis stranded in their home country to resume their jobs and join their families. Following months of passenger flight suspensions, UAE authorities announced, earlier this month, that passengers from Pakistan — among six restricted countries — could return to the Emirates, provided they meet certain criteria.
PIA has been increasing operational capacity since the UAE eased entry restrictions for residents stranded in Pakistan. The pre-entry conditions include prior approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, negative PCR test with a validity of 48 hours, and a rapid PCR test six hours prior to the departure of the flight.
PIA is already operating flights from all major Pakistani cities to different emirates of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Recently, all the airlines, in cooperation with local laboratories, set up facilities within the airport premises across Pakistan to conduct rapid PCR tests in line with the UAE’s instructions to authorities.
“We saw a good opportunity in Ras Al Khaimah because there is plenty of demand for air travel from Pakistan right now. We’re deploying large aircraft Boeing 777 to meet the demand. We have also increased Sharjah capacity from Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi and Sialkot,” said Shahid Mughal, regional manager for the UAE at PIA.
waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
The announcement coincides with a drop in the number of registered coronavirus cases
Over 178.6 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far
A total of at least eight cities and towns say their residents must not go beyond where they live
City health officials warn infections could hit 8,000 in the coming weeks
Foreigners who want to leave must test negative in five PCR tests over seven days
Over 178.6 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far
It will last for four weeks if 10 or more passengers test positive
Over 178.4 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far