Saudi govt grants special permission to PIA, as aqama deadline nears

The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has granted special permission to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to fly 21 additional flights, on weekly basis, between the two countries.

According to the spokesperson of the national carrier, keeping in view the urgent need of many of the Pakistanis to reach Saudi Arabia for renewal of their aqamas, PIA had requested Saudi government to allow additional flights.

He said with an increase in the number of flights PIA will be able to transport 25,500 passengers from Pakistan before the 30th of this month which is the deadline for many ensuring their presence in the kingdom.

Amid rising demand, PIA has asked the Saudi government to allow 28 more flights from September 15 in addition to the regular flights. However, the permission to operate only 13 flights was granted by the Saudi authorities with the restriction not to carry more than 66% of the passengers to maintain the social distance.

Meanwhile, PIA has urged its passengers not to pay an additional amount to confirm their tickets to Saudi Arabia. According to PIA spokesman, the airline has published the fares and if any passenger was asked to pay an additional amount to confirm tickets, report the matter to [email protected].

The airline would firstly entertain those passengers, whose “Aqamas”/residence permits were expiring on September 25 and has urged the passengers, having valid “Aqamas”/residence permits till September 30 to approach PIA office or agents after September 25.