COVID-19: Stranded Pakistanis in the UAE can now fly back home on Serene Air's chartered flights
Pakistan’s private airline is also set to start regular flight operation to UAE this year
Dubai: Stranded Pakistanis in the UAE now have the option to take chartered flights to go back home.
Serene Air, Pakistan’s newest private airline, will operate its first chartered repatriation flight from Sharjah to Karachi on July 3. “We are thankful to the UAE authorities and the Pakistan government for giving us permission to operate special chartered flights to repatriate stranded Pakistanis,” said Sohail Sheikh, Country Manager of Serene Air in the UAE.
Sheikh told Gulf News that the first chartered flight with 122 passengers would depart from Sharjah International Airport to Karachi on July 3. He said the flight is fully booked.
“We are also planning to operate more chartered flights to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Multan and those interested to go back to Pakistan can book their tickets at Al Ghazi Travel in Dubai,” added Sheikh.
“Serene Air has already finalised plans to start regular passengers flight operation between Pakistan and UAE this year. There has been some delays due to COVID-19 situation but we are all set to launch our operation this year,” he revealed.
Serene Air has already finalised plans to start regular passengers flight operation between Pakistan and UAE this year.
Civial Aviation permission
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued an official notification to Serene Air for a chartered flight from Sharjah to Karachi.
Serene Air is a privately owned Pakistani airline that began operating domestic flights in the country in January 2017.
More than 85,000 Pakistanis in the UAE have registered with their diplomatic mission for repatriation. Pakistan Consul General Ahmed Amjad Ali told said early this week that more than 60,000 have already flown back home on special repatriation flights.
COVID-19 tests
Pakistan government has already announced that Pakistani passengers coming to the country on repatriation flights would not have to undergo COVID-19 tests if they do not show any symptoms. All arriving passengers pass through thermal scanners and only those who are symptomatic are tested for COVID-19 while rest of them are allowed to go home after an undertaking of self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
Passengers' screening
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf said Pakistan has acted in the most responsible manner to contain the spread of Covid-19.
During a media briefing at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that screening of passengers travelling abroad from Pakistan has been made mandatory and no passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are allowed to board a plane.
Dr Yusuf also rejected claims that Pakistan is exporting coronavirus to other countries and said Pakistan is keeping a close eye on the incoming and out-bound passengers.