KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has completed alternative arrangements to resume flight operations to the United Kingdom.
In order to facilitate passengers traveling to the UK, an agreement has been reached between PIA and the Portuguese airline, under which flights will be operated by a modern Airbus 330A aircraft with more than 300 seats. PIA Spokesman Abdullah Khan said that the PIA slot and call sign would be used in the UK operation. The Airbus 330 has modern and comfortable seats in economy and business class.
Another spokesperson for PIA said that the SOPs pertaining to social distancing would be taken care of in the aircrafts. PIA will launch its operation in UK on August 14, after Flight PK 9702 PK will leave Manchester for Islamabad with more than 250 passengers. Another flight (PK9785) will leave Islamabad for London on August 15. Bookings for these direct flights have begun and the first flight is already full.
Khan further said that PIA has a limited number of seats with high service, which are being booked. PIA is also providing 45kg per passenger baggage on these flights. Passengers will also have access to in-flight entertainment during the flight.
The spokesman said that the national carrier had received requests to operate more flights from Manchester. He informed that other airlines have raised fares dramatically following the suspension of PIA flights. Fares are expected to return to normal after PIA flights resume.
