Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) special flight with around 245 Pakistani passengers on board will arrive at Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwest Sichuan province on Friday.

In view of the disruption in commercial flight operations, it will be the eleventh special flight of the national flag carrier to transport Pakistani nationals from Islamabad to China, Qadir Bux Sangi, PIA Country Manager for China said on Wednesday.

He said most of the passengers include officials, businessmen, traders and the spouses of the Chinese nationals in China.

He informed that the PIA will run four special flights in a period of one month to bring Pakistani passengers from Islamabad to Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwest Sichuan Province. “After the flight to arrive on Friday, next special flights will land in Chengdu on November 10, November 27, and December 7 respectively,” he added.

Qadir Bux Sangi said that all the special flights are being arranged and operated by PIA with the help of the relevant Chinese and Pakistani authorities.

Under the Chinese government rules, all the passengers of the special flight will undergo to PCR testing and quarantine in the government-supervised facilities as part of efforts to quell the spread of Covid-19.

Responding to a question, he said that the national flag carrier was in negotiations with the Chinese authorities for the resumption of regular flights from Islamabad to Beijing to facilitate Pakistani passengers travelling on this very important route.

He hoped that the PIA would soon get permission for its regular flights from Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad.

It may be mentioned here that PIA started special flight operation in May this year when a special flight PIA-8872 airlifted 274 returning Pakistani students from Wuhan and Hubei province to Pakistan.

A special unit of Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing and Consulates Generals’ officers has been constituted to liaison with the PIA, relevant Chinese departments and Pakistani community members for finalizing the arrangements of flight operations.

Special arrangements are made with help of the Chinese government and relevant authorities during special flight operation to ensure the health and safety of all Pakistani passengers.