Flight operations at Pakistan airports to remain suspended till May 7: PCAA

LAHORE: The closure of regional flight operations from airports across the country has been extended till May 7, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said Thursday, in line with restrictions to contain the novel coronavirus.

According to a spokesperson, the PCAA issued a new notice to airpersons (NOTAM) following directives from the government. Only special flights, diplomats, and cargo planes would be allowed to continue operations, they added.

"Remaining provisions as applicable to the suspension of domestic flights reflected in the previous orders remain unchanged," the PCCA added on its Twitter account.

Prior to this, the regional flight operations had been suspended till today, April 30.

Essential Services Act imposed on PIA

A day prior, the ministry of interior had implemented the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1952 on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for six months to bring back overseas Pakistanis stranded abroad.

According to a PIA spokesperson, the Act would come into force immediately and would remain in effect for the next six months. The purpose was to ensure uninterrupted flight operations, they said.

Read more: Essential Services Act imposed on PIA for six months amid COVID-19 crisis

No employee would be able to decline their duties as the act came into effect, the PIA spokesperson said. Refusal to do so may lead to legal action.

The official said the national carrier had brought almost 27,000 people back home and that there were still thousands more in various different countries waiting to return to Pakistan.