Dubai: Emirates has resumed limited regular flight operation from Pakistan to Dubai after a gap of more than two and half months.
Emirates is working 14 weekly flights to Dubai, including seven from Karachi, five from Lahore and two from Islamabad, using its modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, consistent with an airline statement issued to media in Pakistan on Tuesday.
Emirates is the first international airline to resume flight operation from Pakistan after the country opened the airports for ‘outbound’ international flights. Ban on international incoming regular passenger flights is still in place while only special flights are allowed to take stranded Pakistanis to the country.
Emirates will operate its first scheduled flight from Islamabad on June 11. The international flight operations in Pakistan had remained suspended since March 21 amid travel restrictions imposed globally due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Only outbound flights
Emirates, however, clarified that it is operation only ‘outbound’ flights from Pakistan to help stranded UAE residents to fly back to the UAE. The airline will also facilitate Pakistani passengers who wish to connect onward to other Emirates destinations. UAE residents stranded in Pakistan can travel on these flights after following the registration procedure earlier announced by the UAE government. Passengers can book tickets on Economy and Business Class from Pakistan.
Safety measures
Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates vice chairman to Pakistan, said: “We are extremely pleased to resume services successfully from Pakistan, and thank the authorities for the arrangements and their assistance.
“Emirates have implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveler’s journey to make sure the health and safety of consumers and employees in the least touch points. Our customers travelling with us will find these measures reassuring and comforting.”
The statement also said that social distancing measures would be applied and baggage would be disinfected at all three airports. The boarding sequence has been staggered in Economy Class and passengers’ board by row, from the last row to the primary , in small numbers.
Thermal screening
Customers transiting through Dubai International Airport and boarding another Emirates flight undergo thermal screening after disembarkation. Transfer desks at the airport have protective barriers and for extra assistance, airport staff wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), direct customers from a secure distance.
Emirates to offer passenger services from 15 June between @DXB and Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, ny JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur , Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane.
Emirates international flights
Early this week, Emirates also announced to resume limited regular passenger flight operation to various destinations across the world including: Kabul, Bahrain, London Heathrow, Manchester, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Chicago, Toronto, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Manila.
Customers can book to fly between destinations within the Asia Pacific and Europe or America , with a convenient connection in Dubai, as long as they meet travel and immigration entry requirements of their destination country.