Web Report
Dubai’s Emirates airline suspended scheduled passenger services from Pakistan on Wednesday after certain passengers were tested positive for coronavirus.
“Following the announcement of positive Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong relating to certain passengers who travelled on our flights, Emirates has taken the decision to temporarily suspend passenger services from Pakistan, from June 24,” the airline’s spokesperson said in a statement.
However, the airline said it will continue cargo and repatriation flights to Pakistan as per the announced schedule and is working hard to resume service as soon as possible.
Emirates had resumed scheduled service to three Pakistani cities Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to bring back stranded UAE residents after travel restrictions were by the UAE and Pakistan authorities.
It is stated that 26 passengers had tested positive for coronavirus on Emirates flight to Hong Kong on June 20. Those passengers had travelled from Pakistan and transited through Dubai airport and then boarded the second Emirates flight to Hong Kong.
Prime Minister Imran Khan warned earlier this month that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases will continue to rise, and a peak will be witnessed by the end of July or beginning of August.
Emirates airline said it is co-ordinating closely with the various authorities and will review the flight suspension and implement any required additional measures to satisfy all parties before it resume services from Pakistan.
“We remain committed to serving our customers in Pakistan and are working hard to resume services as soon as possible. In the meantime Emirates will continue to operate repatriation flights into Pakistan as per the announced schedule, and operate cargo services that support the trade and movement of goods between Pakistan, UAE and our global network,” said the spokesperson.
“The health and safety of our crew, customers and communities remains our top priority. Emirates has put in place a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey on the ground and in the air, to minimise the risk of infection spread,” the spokesperson said.
