All domestic flight services in Pakistan have resumed

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Blue Swan Daily

On 6 August 2020, according to local media reports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA) announced that from 7 August, the government has allowed the resumption of all domestic flight operations.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Pakistan stated in a tweet that, upon approval, all flight operators will be required to implement established standard operating procedures (SOP) guidelines.

The Pakistani regulatory agency also said that if it meets the relevant SOP guidelines, the airport will also reopen for cargo, special flights and private jet operations.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Pakistan stated that the aviation sector is prepared to strictly implement standard operating procedures. This includes that flights must be disinfected before passengers board the aircraft, there must be at least one vacant seat between passengers, flight attendants and passengers must wear masks and use hand sterilizers; luggage must also be disinfected before loading the aircraft and after arriving at the destination airport; Passengers on domestic flights are not allowed to eat; passengers are not allowed to communicate or drop off at the airport for a long time.

In addition, each passenger must fill out a health declaration form before boarding, and must undergo temperature testing at the departure airport and upon arrival. Since the outbreak of the epidemic in May, Pakistan has only allowed PIA and Serene Air to operate its domestic flights, including limited flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.