KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday issued flight operation plans after Saudi Arabia imposed restriction on travelers from many countries owing to threat of coronavirus spread.
Saudi Arabia
The PIA said that in accordance with new directives from the civil aviation authorities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, PIA will be operating its flights from Pakistan to Jeddah, Medina, Dammam and Riyadh to facilitate the return of the following types of passengers only till March 15, 2020:
Saudi nationals (citizens)
Valid Iqama holders (local residents)
All other types of visa holders are not allowed to enter any of the KSA airports.
Change of booking options for affected passengers:
Any change of booking, cancellation, refund, and/or no-show charges have been waived for all passengers who are booked on Jeddah & Medina bound flights from Pakistan, and are unable to travel due to KSA’s travel restrictions due to coronavirus. This facility is valid till March 31, 2020.
KUWAIT
In accordance with the directives of DG Civil Aviation Kuwait, PIA is temporarily suspending its flights between Pakistan and Kuwait with effect from March 13, 2020 till further notice.
Change of Booking options for affected passengers:
Any change of booking, cancellation, refund, and/or no-show charges have been waived for all passengers who are booked on Pakistan-Kuwait flights and are affected by this travel restriction. This facility is valid till March 31, 2020.
ITALY
In accordance with the travel advisory directed by the government of Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak, PIA is temporarily suspending flight operations between Pakistan and Milan from March 10, 2020 until further notice.
Change of Booking options for affected passengers:
Any change of booking, cancellation, refund, and/or no-show charges have been waived for all passengers who are booked on Pakistan-Milan flights and are unable to travel due to the travel restrictions. This facility is valid till March 31, 2020.
QATAR
In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar, PIA is temporarily suspending flight operations from Pakistan to Doha from March 09, 2020 until further notice.
Change of Booking options for affected passengers:
Any change of booking, cancellation, refund, and/or no-show charges have been waived for all passengers who are booked on Doha-bound flights from Pakistan, and are unable to travel due to the above travel restrictions. This facility is valid till 31st March 2020.
CHINA & JAPAN
In accordance with directives from regulatory authorities in Pakistan, PIA has temporarily reduced its services to Beijing and Tokyo. Flights have been suspended till March 31, 2020.
Change of booking options for affected passengers:
PIA advised passengers to contact nearest PIA offices.
