Coronavirus: Pakistan hikes air fares for special flights from UAE

DUBAI: The government of Pakistan has increased the air fares of special flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Pakistanis after the announcement of the reopening of airspace for international airlines.

Stranded Pakistanis had been eagerly waiting for normal flight operations for their earliest repatriation after patiently waiting for more than three months now. However, the air fares have been increased and instantly implemented in no time of the announcement of this decision.

More than 50,000 stranded Pakistanis are still waiting to be repatriated from Dubai, according to the figures revealed by the Pakistan Consulate Dubai. Pakistan Consul General to Dubai Ahmed Amjad Ali confirmed in its video message that the airfares have changed from the emirates.

Ali added that there would be around 18-20 special flights during this week from Dubai.

Last week, the government had issued a notification about the resumption of international flights from Pakistan.

“All international passengers and chartered flights will be authorised to operate to and from all airports in Pakistan except Gwadar and Turbat,” the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had said, however, flights from UAE have yet to materialize.

PIA hiked its fare from Dubai to Islamabad, Peshawar and Punjab (Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad) from Dh1,110 (Rs50,300) to Dh1,470 (Rs66,700) for economy class and business class ticket price would be unchanged that is Dh2,200 (Rs99,800).

Moreover, PIA increased Dh270 (Rs12,200) in a ticket for Karachi repatriation flight and now it would be available in Dh1,270 (Rs57,600) instead of Dh1,000 (Rs45,300).

So far 22,000 stranded Pakistanis have been repatriated only from Dubai, the consul general stated.

Originally published in The News