ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that Saudi Arabia has allowed direct flights from Pakistan from December 1 after lifting a ban.
Saudi Arabia has allowed direct flights from six countries, including Pakistan, which was a good development.
In a tweet, Mr Chaudhry said the Saudi directive would become effective from Wednesday.
According media reports, Saudi authorities have decided to withdraw a ban on flights from six countries — Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil, India and Vietnam — and passengers from these countries will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third country.
Saudi Arabia had issued temporary restrictions on travellers from the six countries who had not received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the kingdom.
A directive, issued by the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation to all airlines operating in the kingdom’s airports, said: “Allowing direct entry to the kingdom from the Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Federal Republic of Brazil, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Arab Republic of Egypt, (and) India, without the need to stay 14 days outside these countries before entering the kingdom.
“Institutional quarantine procedures must be applied for a period of 05 days, regardless of passengers’ immunisation status outside the kingdom, with the continued application of exceptions issued regarding some groups in this regard…”
A spokesman for PIA said anyone interested in travelling to the kingdom should contact the airline for a ticket.
