LAHORE – Pakistan International airline (PIA) has stopped its flight operations from Karachi after four pilots were suspected of contracting the coronavirus, stated a notification issued by national flag carrier on Sunday.
CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik has issued immediate instructions to ground the planes as the four pilots were stopped as part of precautionary measures against the virus.
The Pakistan Airline Pilots Association has halted the pilots from flying. It has called for safety measures for pilots. It says PIA has been unable to provide a safe environment.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan said, “The PIA is strictly abiding by the instructions issued by the government of Pakistan”. “The instructions include measures related to disinfecting the airplane as well as the crew’s health and safety,” Khan added, noting that the federal government’s instructions were being followed at all airports in the country.
The incident that took place at Karachi airport was “against the instructions issued by the government of Pakistan on aviation staff”, he said, adding that three hours prior to the plane with no passengers was scheduled to arrive from London, all officials had been informed.
On Saturday, two PIA flights carrying nearly 600 British citizens landed in Manchester and London, bringing relief to travelers stranded in Pakistan as international travel was curbed during the coronavirus pandemic.
