Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched flight bookings for travellers travelling the Islamabad-Xian and Beijing-Islamabad routes, according to PIA Country Manager Qadir Bux Sangi.
“China Civil Aviation has authorised PIA’s winter schedule for China from November 01, and travellers may now book single or round-trip tickets from Pakistan to China and China to Pakistan online or through travel agents,” he told APP.
He did say, however, that all passengers would have to abide by all of the Chinese government’s rules and restrictions imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, such as genetic tests and quarantine.
According to Qadir Bux Sangi, the national flag airline will operate one flight each week on the ISB-XIY-BJS-ISB route, with PK854 ISB-XIY on Saturdays and PK855 BJS-ISB on Sundays.
“All people travelling from Pakistan to China will be transported from Pakistan to Xian and from Beijing Capital Airport to Pakistan,” he said, adding that the Xian-Beijing route will be conducted like a ferry.
“He explained that because there is a break in the travel between Xian and Beijing, the RT ticket will be PAK-Xian and then Beijing-Pakistan, and passengers will be responsible for arranging their own transportation from Xian to Beijing. Similarly, the BJS-Pakistan RT ticket will be followed by Pakistan-Xian. Passengers must be informed of this when tickets are issued “Added he.
“If approval is granted by the Chinese government, the airfare for passengers travelling from Pakistan to China will be significantly reduced,” said the PIA Country Manager, adding that efforts were being made to get permission for other routes, including PIA flights on the Islamabad-Xian-Islamabad section.
