Emirates resumes passengers flights to Pakistan

Emirates Airlines on Friday said it is resuming flights to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad days after it asked Pakistan to set up dedicated Covid-19 labs at the airports for passenger screening. 

However, only those passengers with negative Covid-19 tests from Emirates-approved laboratories will be allowed to board the flights. 

The tests, the airline said, cannot be older than 96 hours. 

“Following the receipt of relevant government approvals, Emirates has resumed passenger services to Pakistan. Customers can travel to and from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad if they meet the requirements of their destination,” the Emirates spokesperson told a UAE-based newspaper. 

“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. More information on these measures can be found on: www.emirates.com/yoursafety.”

Emirates said the passengers will have to get tested at their own expense from Emirates approved Chughtai Labs — located across Pakistan — before they’ll be allowed to board the planes. However, childrens below the age of 12 will be exempted from the test if their parents, who have tested negative, are travelling with them.

Emirates had temporarily suspended flights in Pakistan including transit on June 24. The suspension was till July 3, allowing Pakistan to put health and safety procedures in place. 

The decision was taken after 30 Pakistanis, in an Emirates flight to Hong Kong, tested positive for Covid-19. The passengers had traveled from Pakistan to Dubai via transit and had boarded another plane there for Hong Kong.

“Emirates will continue to operate repatriation flights into Pakistan as per the announced schedule, and continue to operate cargo services that support the trade and movement of goods between Pakistan, UAE and our global network,” it said in a statement following the suspension of services.