British Airways to start direct flights three times a week to and from Heathrow Airport and Islamabad.
British Airways (BA) will resume its flight operations to and from Pakistan from August 14th. The airline stopped its operations earlier in the year due to the breakout of the coronavirus pandemic. The flights will follow protocols to avoid any threat of the COVID-19 to the flight crew and the passengers.
The airline would began direct flights three times a week to and from Heathrow Airport and Islamabad from August 14 with extra precautionary measures.
Due to COVID-19, passengers will be required to wear masks and will have access to hand sanitizers during the flight. Crew members will also don masks during the flight.
Much needed resumption
Since PIA is unable to operate flights to the UK due to a temporary suspension, the extremely busy route saw a surge in flight fares. The flight operations by BA should help lower fares and offer greater availability of flights to and for UK. British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner CMG called it a boost for the hundreds of thousands of passengers that travel between the two countries. The High Commissioner thanked the Pakistani government for their support in the matter.
“The resumption of British Airways direct flights is a big boost for hundreds of thousands of travelers who travel regularly between our two great nations, many who have had their travel plans disrupted by the pandemic. I’d like to thank to the Government of Pakistan, British Airways and my team in Pakistan who have worked hard to deliver this welcome news,” Mr. Turner said.
Moran Birger, Head of Sales, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East at British Airways, was pleased with the resumption of operations. “We are pleased to once again provide a service between Pakistan and the UK. We know many of our customers in both countries have been waiting to be reunited with friends and family. We look forward to welcoming them back onboard,” Birger said.
When will the flights operate?
From London Heathrow the flights will be on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, departing at 20:30 and arriving in Islamabad at 04:20.
From Islamabad flights will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, departing at 06:15 and arriving in London at 15:00.
PIA may return to UK soon
PIA is planning on returning to the UK faster than expected. The airline plans to lease European planes that meet the international safety requirements as well as European pilots who are unaffected by the dubious license scandal.
PIA is expected to make a huge loss due to the complete halt of the operations. Limited operations will resume for London, Manchester and Birmingham. Returning to the region will allow the national carrier to salvage its revenue, even with a higher operating cost.