ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The special Shaheen Airline International (SAI) flight carrying around 214 passengers – who were stranded at Guangzhou Airport in China – will arrive in Lahore by 1700 hours (PST) today, the Foreign Office said on Monday.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said that around 214 passengers who were still waiting at Guangzhou Airport have now left for Pakistan via a special flight of Shaheen International. The special flight left Guangzhou Airport Today at 1045 hours (PST).
SAI flights from Guangzhou to Lahore due for July 29, and August 2 and 5 were cancelled due to technical problems in their aircraft. As a result of these cancellations a large number of Pakistanis were stranded at Guangzhou Airport.
Most of the passengers of July 29 Flight had opted for full refund and took other commercial flights; however some passengers decided to wait for the next SAI flight.
The Foreign Office said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our Embassy in Beijing and Consulate General in Guangzhou played an active role in resolving this crisis. As soon as news of cancellation of flight was received, our Consulate established contact with the passengers and Shaheen Airline officials. Throughout this time, they remained in touch with the passengers, Shaheen International Airline and Civil Aviation Authorities of Pakistan and China to ensure smooth stay and return of these stranded Pakistani passengers.
The strength of the Consulate personnel at Guangzhou was enhanced at the special instructions of the Foreign Secretary who personally monitored the situation and also liaised with the government departments for resolving the crisis. Our Consulate ensured the well-being of the passengers. They were lodged in Hotel Holiday Villa near Airport and provided with halal food. The Consulate General of Pakistan Guangzhou, through local Foreign Affairs office and Public safety Bureau ensured that all those passengers whose visas were expired due to cancellation of flights did not face any problem. Itinerary and accurate information was regularly shared with the media.
Passengers who left for home on the special flight appreciated the services of Pakistan Consulate Guangzhou and Pakistan Embassy Beijing who remained in close contact.
