BA flights resume as Covid curbs ease

First post-pandemic flight takes off from Islamabad to London

British Airways has resumed its operations in Pakistan, with the first post-Covid flight taking off from the Islamabad airport to London, the British High Commission said on Friday.

The British-flag carrier had resumed direct flights in June 2019 after a break of 10 years but the operations were halted again after restrictions were imposed in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus earlier this year.

The flights have resumed after Pakistan successfully contained the pandemic and registered a significant drop in the coronavirus cases, leading to lifting of almost all Covid-related restrictions.

The UK High Commission, in a tweet, wished “everyone on board a great flight”. It said: “Welcoming back @British_Airways to Pakistan! Keeping the [UK] and [Pakistan] — and our people — connected.”

Earlier, the high commission had said that due to Covid-19, passengers would be required to wear masks and use hand sanitisers during the flight. There were also extra measures in place at the airports to ensure safety of the travellers.

British High Commissioner Christian Turner described the resumption of the British Airways flights on the occasion of Independence Day of Pakistan as an important moment for UK-Pakistan links.

"The resumption of British Airways direct flights is a big boost for the hundreds of thousands of travellers who travel regularly between our two great nations, many who have had their travel plans disrupted by the pandemic,” he said. “I’d like to thank the government of Pakistan, British Airways and my team in Pakistan who have worked hard to deliver this welcome news."