Etihad Airways on Thursday suspended its flight operations from Pakistan, a day after several passengers who had travelled to Hong Kong by another airliner tested positive for Covid-19. Emirates and Etihad have already suspended outbound operations.
An official of Etihad Airways said that the outbound flights of Etihad Airways had been suspended till July 1.
Inbound flights will continue to operateÂ
He didn’t give any reason for the suspension of flight operations from Pakistan but hinted that the suspension of outbound flights might be exteÂnded. However, he added, inbound flights would continue to operate for Pakistan.
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Cargo flights will also continue to be operated bilaterally. The airline also said that flights to Pakistan are being constantly monitored.
Etihad Airways resumed its two weekly flights from Karachi and Lahore on June 13 after a gap of 55 days and was planning to operate flights from Islamabad. The airline earlier suspended flights to Pakistan on March 21 to contain the spread of coronavirus.
BREAKING: Emirates flights to Pakistan initially suspended till July 3. Following a recent situation where 26 Pakistanis tested postive on an EK flight to Hong Kong. The passengers were boarded earlier from Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/l4oRthRFXn
— Lahore Airport (@AirportLahore) June 23, 2020
The airline said that the booked flights will be refunded in accordance with its policy.
Other airlines follow suit amid spike in coronavirus cases
Etihad Airways is the third airline of the UAE after Fly Dubai and Emirates to have temporarily suspended its flight operation for outbound passengers.
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Just a day ago, Emirates, which had been operating flights from Pakistan to Dubai, had temporarily suspended passenger service from the country until next week. However, Emirates will continue to operate repatriation flights into Pakistan as per the announced schedule and continue to operate cargo services.
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A spokesman for the airline said: “Following the announcement of positive Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong relating to certain passengers who travelled on out flights, Emirates has taken the decision to temporarily suspend passenger services from Pakistan.
The airline said that the booked flights will be refunded in accordance with its policy.