Pakistan’s curbs on incoming flights have forced Gulf airlines to cancel flights to Karachi. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has reduced incoming international aircraft operations to 20% of the summer 2021 program, effective May 5, 2021, and extending through July 15.
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Owing to the prevailing COVID-19 situation across the globe & with the view to curb the spread of disease, PCAA upon the directive of the NCOC, curtailed inbound Intl flight ops to 20 % of actual Summer – 21 Schedule to Pakistan w.e.f May 05, 2021 & extended up to July 15, 2021.
— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) June 30, 2021
Gulf carriers canceled the flights.
Emirates flights beginning July 1 have been canceled as a result of the Pakistani government’s decision. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways‘ 10:50 a.m. flight from Doha to Karachi has been canceled till July 6.
The excuse of cancelling already booked, confirmed flights/ seats owing to flight approval revocation by PCAA is untenable and PCAA currently has no intervention either in over-booking of pax on flights operated from outside Pakistan or cancellation of these flights to Pakistan.
— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) June 30, 2021
UAE decision to suspend flights
According to many other media stories quoting officials, citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are prohibited from traveling to several countries, particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Thursday’s decision follows the UAE’s extension of the travel restriction on travelers from 14 countries through July 21 in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in June.