Rawalpindi: Following Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow direct flights from Pakistan from December 1, Pakistan International Airlines has announced its flight schedule to operate 35 flights weekly to the kingdom.
Saudi officials decided on Thursday withdraw the ban on flights to six countries – Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil and Vietnam – and travelers from these countries will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third country.
A PIA spokesperson said the administration has started expanding air operations to Saudi Arabia, with 35 flights operating weekly from various destinations in Pakistan.
Flights will be operated to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Al-Qasim
He said flights would be operated to Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Al-Qasim.
He said that PIA flights will leave from different cities of Pakistan like Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Peshawar.
Earlier, some flights of the national airline in certain categories were already operating ahead of this new flight schedule. A PIA spokesman said passengers departing from December 1 must comply with the five-day quarantine requirement in accordance with Saudi law.
He said that a decision will be taken to increase the number of flights after the demand increases.
Since travel restrictions were eased by the Saudi government, a large number of people wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia are approaching airline offices for tickets.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a notification on 25 November to all airlines operating in the kingdom’s airports, including those from the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Socialist Republic of the Kingdom Direct entry was allowed. The Republic of Vietnam, the Arab Republic of Egypt and India are not required to stay outside these countries for 14 days before entering the state.
“In this regard, institutional quarantine procedures should be implemented for a period of 05 days, regardless of the vaccination status of out-of-state travelers, with continued application of exceptions issued in respect of certain groups.”
Published in Dawn, November 28, 2021
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