Pakistan extends suspension of int'l flights, resumes domestic operations partially

Local media quoted Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan as saying that the suspension of international flights has been extended up to May 31 but special, cargo and relief planes holding special approval would be allowed to continue operations as per the permissions granted to them.

Pakistan suspended the international flight operations on March 21 following the arrival of COVID-19 cases from abroad, especially from Iran and the Gulf states.

The minister said that the main aim of the extension in the suspension of international flight operations is to avoid further spread of COVID-19 in the country, according to the reports.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority on Friday announced to resume limited domestic flight operations from the major airports of the country, allowing the Pakistan International Airlines and private airlines to conduct the operations.

The minister said around 20 percent of the domestic flights would resume operations from five major airports in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar, according to the reports.

"Disinfection, social distancing and other health safety measures would be followed based on the seats in the airplane and capacity to fill 50 percent of the seats would be maintained to provide passengers with the opportunity to travel safely," the minister was quoted as saying.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 38,799, with 834 deaths and 10,880 recoveries in Pakistan, according to the data updated by the country's health ministry on Saturday morning.