CAA extends decision to ban 80% inbound flights

According to a local newspaper, the ban on 80% of flights coming from abroad will be maintained till June 15.

The newspaper quoted CAA spokesman Saad bin Ayub as saying that flights from abroad would be limited to 20 per cent, while cargo services would be allowed to operate an additional 30 per cent.

According to a CAA spokesperson, 50 per cent of flights from Pakistan have been allowed abroad and the ban will remain in force till June 15.

Since May 1, Pakistan has limited the number of flights landing at its airports, allowing only 20 per cent of flights inwards but letting outbound flights operate at an additional 30 per cent capacity which was applicable till May 21.

Passengers from abroad are required to submit a COVID negative report 72 hours in advance for entry into Pakistan, while coronavirus tests of passengers arriving at the airport are also being conducted.

It has also been revealed that several passengers coming from abroad have submitted fake COVID-19 reports on which heavy fines and restrictions were being imposed on the airlines.

On the other hand, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had required passengers from Gulf countries to submit a certified COVID positive report of the Ministry of Health.

However, as this condition could not be implemented, the Civil Aviation Authority has given the responsibility of verifying the report to the airlines.

It is to be noted that Pakistan is currently facing a third wave of the COVID19. The deadly virus has claimed 19,256 lives with 886,184 total cases to date as per the NCOC report.

The coronavirus positivity rate stands at 7.79% whereas about 799,951 people have recovered across Pakistan from the virus.

Sindh has reported 301,247 cases in a province-wise breakdown, Punjab 329,913, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 127,609, Islamabad 79,552 Balochistan 24,064, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 18,360, and Gilgit Baltistan 5,439.