The national carrier PIA has taken the decision to suspend all its international flights under the directives of the Government of Pakistan.
PIA official twitter account confirm the cancellation of all international flights.
UPDATE: Pakistan International Airlines suspends all International flights operation to Pakistan from March 21, 2020 8 pm, Pakistan Standard Time (PST) to April 4, 2020, 8 pm (PST) as per the directives of Government of Pakistan.
The flights will be suspended from 8 pm 21 March 2020 till 28 March 2020.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: New COVID-19 cases raises Pakistan tally to 543
Pakistan International Airlines also shared that the decision is taken under the directives of the government.
PIA cancels all international flights
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan, however, clarified that it does not mean Pakistani airspace will be closed as well.
He said the decision to close the international flights is taken to curb the spread of coronavirus.
He also said all the tickets will be refunded, and if people want to book flights after March 28, there will be no charges.
The national carrier will decide after 28 March if they want to further extend the closure of international flights.
READ MORE: Two drunk elephants have become an internet sensation in China
federal minister for aviation
PIA has already started sending messages to its passengers. Abdullah Khan also said the flights will remain suspended till policies are formed.
Earlier this month Saudi Arab had announced to cancel Umrah pilgrimage over the coronavirus fears.
Pakistan has already canceled its flight to China, Iran, Qatar, and Italy.
According to the federal minister for aviation had said the coronavirus has caused immense losses to the aviation industry around the world.
Coronavirus Cases in Pakistan
The number of coronavirus cases has been rapidly increasing in Pakistan for the past few days.
The number of confirmed cases in Pakistan is 625. The number of reported coronavirus deaths has reached 3.
