Gwadar and Turbat airport barred from carrying out international flight operations.
Pakistan’s government gave the green light for the partial opening of its airspace and allow international air travel with some restrictions and SOPs. The international flight operation will restart from today and competent authorities will make the schedules to ensure ample time difference between flights.
According to a Notice to the Airmen (NOTAM), procedures laid down by the authorities must be followed. Gwadar and Turbat airport, for now, have been barred from carrying out international flight operations.
“Government of Pakistan has authorized international passenger and charter flights to and from all international airports of Pakistan except Gwadar and Turbat airports in accordance with restrictions and limitations for scheduled international flight operations as approved by the competent authority. Slot timings as decided by the authority shall be strictly followed with sufficient separation between arrivals and departures to ensure compliance with health protocol,” the notice read.
The notice also said that the flight operations for domestic flights and cargo flights will continue as per usual. However, changes to purely outbound flights will be made June 25.
“Cargo, special flights and diplomatic flights shall continue to be authorized as per procedure in-vogue. However, authorizations granted exclusively for outbound international passenger flight operations shall cease with effect from June 25.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet also announced the partial resumption of the international flight operations. He appreciated the overseas workers for their help and vowed to offer them all kinds of assistance upon the return to the country.
Limited domestic flight operations resumed in Pakistan in the mid of May after several weeks of shutdown due to COVID-19. Over the last few months, there have only been a handful of international flights mostly operated to help people get back to their home countries. The inbound flights mostly have been carried out t being ex-pats, mostly residing and working in the GCC Countries.