Virgin Atlantic suspends services to Pakistan

[Dalit]

British airline Virgin Atlantic announced on Monday that it would be suspending services to Pakistan.

In a press release, the airline said it was ceasing operations between London, and Lahore and Islamabad.

“As we continue to ramp up our flying programme in 2023, we’ve taken the opportunity to review our entire network and decided to make a few changes. Following this review, it is with regret that we’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our services between London Heathrow and Pakistan,” the press release quoted a spokesperson as saying.

The spokesperson said this was not a decision that was “taken lightly” and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

“We would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone in Pakistan; our customers, teams, partners and the authorities for their support over the past two years,” the spokesperson said.

It added that the airline would continue to operate between London and Lahore until May 1, and between London and Islamabad until July 9.

The airline said it would communicate with any customers due to fly after the aforementioned dates as well as those who would be affected by cancellations about providing options such as “rebooking, where applicable, or a full refund”.

According to the press release, the final Pakistan flight dates are:

LHR-LHE VS364 departs April 30 at 21:55
LHE-LHR VS365 departs May 1 at 12:25
LHR-ISB VS378 departs July 8 at 21:55
ISB-LHR VS379 departs July 9 at 12:40

Virgin Atlantic had commenced its flight operations for the country on December 13, 2020, after approval by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. At the time, the airline operated three routes from Pakistan to the United Kingdom: two from Islamabad to London and Manchester and one from Lahore to London.

However, the airline announced last year in September that it would not operate flights between Manchester and Islamabad during the winter and called it a “business decision”.

Virgin Atlantic suspends services to Pakistan

Airline will continue to operate between London and Lahore until May 1, and between London and Islamabad until July 9.

www.dawn.com

That did not take long. Who wants to be part of a sinking ship?

 

[Clutch]

That did not take long. Who wants to be part of a sinking ship

Exactly... Just like nobody flies to Somalia.... Same thing with Pakistan.

 

[Shabi1]

Expats love for Pakistan is tarnished at the moment

 

[313ghazi]

Makes sense. Everytime an inbound flight from Pakistan approaches a UK airport, airport authorities, airlines staff and law enforcement has to go on full alert — to a point where it’s SOP. Makes sense to just shut it all down.

Are you one of those illegal immigrants working as a baggage handler at Heathrow, or are you talking about your own experience of being deported?

 

[Fasbre2]

Are you one of those illegal immigrants working as a baggage handler at Heathrow, or are you talking about your own experience of being deported?

He is talking reality… how many PIA staff have been found with drugs, being drunk etc. don’t put it past baggage handlers in Pak to steal from baggage, put drugs in etc.. the flight..
Best not go there… save a lot of headache and damage to reputation of airline..

 

[Enigma SIG]

Expats love for Pakistan is tarnished at the moment

Not finding love from citizens too.

 

[ThunderCat]

Pakistani airliners could take opportunities to fill the gap if they can.

 

[LakeHawk180]

Are you one of those illegal immigrants working as a baggage handler at Heathrow, or are you talking about your own experience of being deported?

No. I am not a pakistani. All of this is very well documented. Brush up on your google-fu.

 

[LakeHawk180]

Slightly unrelated but the official UK travel advisory covers pretty much all of pakistan lol.

Summary​

Updated:3 January 2023

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:

• The districts of Baujar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province
• the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
• the city and district of Peshawar
• travel on the N45 road, from the north of the Mardan ring-road, to the edge of the district of Chitral
• Balochistan province, excluding the southern coast of Balochistan (see below)
• the section of the N35 (or Karakoram Highway) between the Mansehra ring road and the N15/N35 Chilas interchange
• within 10 miles of the Line of Control

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Arandu town and the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province
• the southern coast of Balochistan, defined as the area south of (and including) the N10 motorway as well as the section of the N25 which runs from N10/N25 intersection to the Balochistan/Sindh border, including the port city of Gwadar
• areas of Sindh Province north of, and including, the city of Nawabshah

Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, we advise British nationals in Islamabad to exercise additional vigilance and minimise exposure to densely populated and unsecured areas that pose a higher risk. British nationals visiting areas outside of Islamabad should continue to pay close attention to security announcements as the situation can change quickly.

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Pakistan’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.

Before the COVID pandemic there were nearly half a million visits by British nationals to Pakistan. Most visits are trouble free.

Political rallies and protests regularly take place across Pakistan. Some may have an anti-western dimension and could turn violent. In general, you should avoid demonstrations, large crowds of people, public and political events. You should follow the advice of local authorities and your tour company before travelling and keep track of news. See Safety and security

Through late summer and early Autumn 2022 Pakistan experienced extreme monsoon rainfall, causing flooding and landslides. Travel in many parts of the country has been severely impacted. See Natural disasters

Some periods of the year may pose heightened risks. During holy periods/religious holidays, there is an increased potential for targeted attacks, including on western interests and religious minorities.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Pakistan. There’s a high threat of terrorism, kidnap and sectarian violence throughout the country, including the major cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Foreigners, in particular westerners, may be directly targeted. You should try to avoid all crowds and public events including political gatherings and religious events throughout Pakistan, and take appropriate security precautions.

Densely populated and unsecured areas, such as markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, hiking trails, airports, infrastructure projects, public transport, schools and educational institutions are potential focal points for attacks. You should be extra vigilant at all times in such areas and minimise your exposure to areas that pose a higher risk. See Terrorism

Pakistan can experience extreme weather, including severe heatwaves. These typically occur between March and June. The extreme temperatures can cause poor air quality, wildfires and power cuts. You should avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and take precautionary measures. More information and detailed guidance is available on the National Disaster Management Authority website. You should monitor the local and international weather updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, follow the advice of local authorities and your tour company before travelling.

Pakistan is in a major earthquake zone and remains at risk from further earthquakes, aftershocks, landslides and flooding. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake. See Natural disasters

Consular support is severely limited in parts of Pakistan where the FCDO has existing advice against all travel and all but essential travel (as set out above). The British High Commission’s ability to deliver consular assistance, including in an emergency, may be restricted or delayed in these areas.

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Pakistan travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Pakistan. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

 

[karmaa]

British airline Virgin Atlantic announced on Monday that it would be suspending services to Pakistan.

In a press release, the airline said it was ceasing operations between London, and Lahore and Islamabad.

“As we continue to ramp up our flying programme in 2023, we’ve taken the opportunity to review our entire network and decided to make a few changes. Following this review, it is with regret that we’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our services between London Heathrow and Pakistan,” the press release quoted a spokesperson as saying.

The spokesperson said this was not a decision that was “taken lightly” and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

“We would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone in Pakistan; our customers, teams, partners and the authorities for their support over the past two years,” the spokesperson said.

It added that the airline would continue to operate between London and Lahore until May 1, and between London and Islamabad until July 9.

The airline said it would communicate with any customers due to fly after the aforementioned dates as well as those who would be affected by cancellations about providing options such as “rebooking, where applicable, or a full refund”.

According to the press release, the final Pakistan flight dates are:

LHR-LHE VS364 departs April 30 at 21:55
LHE-LHR VS365 departs May 1 at 12:25
LHR-ISB VS378 departs July 8 at 21:55
ISB-LHR VS379 departs July 9 at 12:40

Virgin Atlantic had commenced its flight operations for the country on December 13, 2020, after approval by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. At the time, the airline operated three routes from Pakistan to the United Kingdom: two from Islamabad to London and Manchester and one from Lahore to London.

However, the airline announced last year in September that it would not operate flights between Manchester and Islamabad during the winter and called it a “business decision”.

Virgin Atlantic suspends services to Pakistan

Airline will continue to operate between London and Lahore until May 1, and between London and Islamabad until July 9.

www.dawn.com

That did not take long. Who wants to be part of a sinking ship?

it was good route for airlines a lot of pakistanis live in Britain , public will face problem . .

 

[Dalit]

it was good route for airlines a lot of pakistanis live in Britain , public will face problem . .

The public isn't going to Pakistan anytime soon.

 

[RIP Pak LAW]

Sensible decision. Why do you want to operate in a country where practically there is no democracy and governed by the most corrupt elite under the umberala of army mafia.

 

[Dalit]

Makes sense. Everytime an inbound flight from Pakistan approaches a UK airport, airport authorities, airlines staff and law enforcement has to go on full alert — to a point where it’s SOP. Makes sense to just shut it all down.

Why don't you tell your British buddies to close down their diplomatic mission in Pakistan. That would make sense too. Regime change operations and support for terrorists would come to a halt.

 

[Windjammer]

Are you one of those illegal immigrants working as a baggage handler at Heathrow, or are you talking about your own experience of being deported?

No, these rich Indians prefer to go to USA, via the scenic Mexican border route.

 

[Mugen]

Pakistani airliners could take opportunities to fill the gap if they can.

Who wants to fly with flying coffins?