PIA to close check-in 75 minutes before int’l flights
Check-in counters for domestic flights will be closed 45 minutes before departure
June 16, 2020 02:13 PM
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Tuesday announced that due to the delays caused by corona health and security checks the airline has revised time for check-in counters and from now onwards the check-in counters for domestic flights will be closed 45 minutes before departure and for the international flights it will be closed 75 minutes before the take-off.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the check-in counters will be closed one hour and fifteen minutes before the departure of the international flights.
“Passengers are requested to reschedule their desired flight to visit the airport. The PIA has started the immediate implementation of the schedule,” a PIA spokesperson said.
PIA in separate tweets urged passengers to wear a mask while onboard the aircraft. PIA retweet guidelines issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA supports the wearing of face coverings for passengers and masks for the crew while on board aircraft as a critical part of a layered approach to biosecurity to be implemented temporarily when people return to travelling by air. IATA does not support mandating social distancing measures that would leave ‘middle seats’ empty.
Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is low. Mask-wearing by passengers and crew will reduce the already low risk while avoiding the dramatic cost increases to air travel that onboard social distancing measures would bring.
“The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. The aviation industry is working with governments to re-start flying when this can be done safely. Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is low. And we will take measures—such as the wearing of face coverings by passengers and masks by the crew—to add extra layers of protection. We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable. One without the other will have no lasting benefit,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.