Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is in talks with the UAE authorities to obtain approval for special flights to bring overseas Pakistanis back to the Emirate, an airline spokesman said.
He said the PIA stopped regular UAE flights.
“We closed the booking for UAE destinations and informed all PIA officials and travel agents,” said the spokesman.
“The PIA special flights will fly to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and bring Pakistanis back to the UAE,” said the spokesman.
He said PK203 from Lahore to Dubai, PK263 from Lahore to Abu Dhabi and PK293 had already left for their respective destinations without passengers, “he said, adding that PK213 would also fly from Karachi to Dubai without passengers.
“We update all booked UAE passengers through call centers about the latest developments and status of special flights,” said the PIA spokesman.
Meanwhile, airline sources said PIA had lost over 4 billion rupees due to the cessation of flight operations during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has suffered a loss of 2.5 billion rupees in the past 10 days due to the suspension of domestic and international flights.
An airline official said empty PIA planes would also be sent to Saudi Arabia to bring the Pakistani pilgrims back.
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