PIA to expand special flight operations

The flag carrier repatriated 71 Pakistanis from Manchester today

To much relief of Pakistanis stranded abroad, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday decided to expand its special flight operations to more countries.

The national flag carrier will now be operating flights to Denmark, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, France, Japan and Thailand.

The decision has been taken in light of the directives issued by PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik.

According to PIA Spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez, the schedule includes a special flight to Denmark on April 10, to Baku, France and Kuala Lumpur  on April 11 - the latter will have Malaysian and Singaporean embassy staff and citizens onboard.

Pilots agree to return to work

Moreover, a special flight will reach Japan on April 12, whereas another will reach Thailand on April 13.

Earlier in the day, 71 Pakistanis reached Islamabad from Manchester onboard PIA's flight PK-702.

The announcement to increase the number of special flights came amid assurances by the Foreign Office that measures were being taken to repatriate as many Pakistanis as can be.

As per the Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, so far 194 nationals have returned from Istanbul, 170 from Bangkok, 128 from Tashkent, 136 from Baghdad, 101 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 40 from Doha through special flights operated by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

The entire world was brought to a standstill as COVID-19  precipitated a global health emergency with air travel suspended in a raft of countries leading to passengers being left in limbo at airports.