Emirates, Etihad suspend Peshawar flight operations

Announcement comes after gunmen attacked PIA aircraft in Peshawar

PESHAWAR:
Emirates Airlines has decided to take precautionary measures and suspend its flights to and from Peshawar due to security reasons after unidentified gunmen attacked a PIA aircraft in Peshawar on June 24, Emirates website reported.

"Emirates has suspended flights to and from Peshawar effective 25th June 2014 until further notice, due to the security situation at the destination," said UAE-based airline, adding that passengers booked to travel during 25th-27th June could cancel their booking, rebook to travel at a later date, or to fly to another Emirates destination in Pakistan.

The announcement comes in the aftermath of the Peshawar airport attack, which led to the death of one woman while two others were injured.

Emirates stated that they cannot risk the security of their passengers and have to move forward with the suspension, “as this situation is beyond the control of Emirates, liability towards our passengers is limited in accordance with Emirates’ Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage.”

Etihad follows suit 


Etihad Airways' flight EY261 from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, which was scheduled to depart on June 24 at 11pm local time, has also been cancelled, according to a statement released by the airline.

Affected passengers in Abu Dhabi and Peshawar have been re-booked to travel on alternative Etihad Airways services to and from Pakistan.

The airline’s next flight to Peshawar, scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi on Thursday night, 26 June is still under review. The safety of Etihad Airways passengers and staff is of paramount importance and the airline will continue to monitor the situation closely.

All affected Etihad Airways’ passengers are being kept fully informed about the situation.

The move comes only days after the Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific announced on Tuesday that it will be suspending flights to Pakistan from this month. The decision came as a result of the attack at Karachi airport which forced insurance premiums on aircraft to shoot up.

 
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