The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Saturday started operating with flights to UAE from country’s four major cities.
The national carrier has begun flight operations to Ras Al Khaimah, the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar.
The airline had already been operating flights to several emirates of the UAE including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from several major cities of Pakistan.
The Pakistan to UAE flights news today came as a major relief for hundreds of Pakistanis who can now travel to the UAE to resume their jobs and rejoin their families after being left stranded in the country after flight suspensions by UAE.
Earlier this month, the UAE authorities announced to ease entry restrictions on the passengers from Pakistan and five other countries – India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Uganda and Nigeria – provided they meet certain criteria with SOP.
As per the new rules and regulations, Pakistani citizens aspiring to travel to UAE are required to undergo a negative PCR test with a validity of 48 hours from an approved laboratory with a QR code, and a rapid PCR test at the airport six hours before their scheduled flight.
Rapid PCR facilities have been set up at all the major airports of Pakistan in line with the UAE’s instructions.
The members of diplomatic, and economic missions, citizens of UAE as well as UAE Golden Visa holders, however, are exempted from rapid PCR test requirement.
