Two special flights leave for Canada amid flight suspension due to COVID-19

• Two PIA flights left from the Karachi and Lahore airports respectively and have 600 passengers on board.

Two special flights left for Canada on Thursday on the request of the Canadian government amid suspension of flight operations in Pakistan due to the coronavirus.

Two PIA flights left from the Karachi and Lahore airports respectively and have 600 passengers on board. All passengers were screened for the novel virus symptoms before boarding and their luggage was also disinfected.

We are pleased to announce special flight PK789 from Lahore is now en route to Toronto. We wish everyone on board a safe & pleasant trip. Don't forget to self isolate for 14 days once you reach your destination in 🇨🇦, #WashYourHands & keep #PhysicalDistancing

— Canada in Pakistan (@CanHCPakistan) April 2, 2020

All aboard for Canada! Canadians getting ready to board Pakistan 1, our first Global Affairs Canada facilitated flight from Lahore to Toronto. It is a good day to be Canadian! pic.twitter.com/eIQMTE7xCb

— Rob Oliphant (@Rob_Oliphant) April 2, 2020

Prior to departing Toronto, the airport staff undertook extensive screening of passengers and their luggage was sprayed with disinfection, while the PIA's top management was at the airport to monitor the situation.

Spokesperson PIA said that both flights from Canada will return to Pakistan without passengers, and has urged the public to constant PIA offices to reserve their flights, and prefer online bookings and ticketing to avoid crowds.

On the other hand, the government has extended the date of suspension of domestic flights from April 2 to April 11, but flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu will continue to operate as usual.

Another PIA special aircraft arrived in Islamabad with relief goods from China, flight PK 8552 arrived in Islamabad from Beijing.

According to spokesman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the equipment consists of 100 thermal scanners, 900,000 masks, 60,000 protective lenses, and more than 3300 protective suits. The equipment includes two and a half lac gloves and thermometers.

The goods were handed over to NDMA officials after customs clearance; PIA special plane flew to China yesterday to pick up relief goods