KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is resuming its direct flight operations to Toronto, Canada, PIA spokesman briefed on Monday.
Canadian officials have allowed PIA to resume its flights to Toronto, which had been earlier restricted to cargo flights only on Pakistan to Canada routes consequent to the surge in the COVID-19 wave. However, other travel-related advisories pertaining to Canada will remain in place.
In the first phase, PIA will start with three direct flights per week from Pakistan to Toronto. The airline will be following strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) assured by PIA CEO to the Canadian Government.
It would be worth mentioning that PIA has already vaccinated its entire crew and ground staff against COVID-19 and now is the process to vaccinate all the airline employees. It is the first airline region to do so.
PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik has instructed PIA officials to immediately start processing booking and purchase of tickets and it is expected that the first flight will resume from Sunday from Pakistan to Toronto.
PIA will operate flights from Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad to Toronto.
The passengers will be required to present a vaccination certificate as well as negative test result prior to travel.
The temporary restrictions were earlier placed by Canadian authorities due to the the global pandemic.
Passengers purchasing new tickets or holding prior purchased tickets can utilize their tickets subject to meeting the terms and conditions of travel. Passengers can contact the PIA call centre at 111-786-786 for further details, PIA spokesman concluded.
