The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended its international flight operations amid increasing threat of coronavirus.

The international flight operation will remain suspended from March 22 till March 28.

However, domestic flights will continue as per schedule.

The flight operation across the globe had suspended as a precautionary measure to control over the pandemic.

However, many other countries had also suspended their flight operations due to the risk.

According to sources, the decision has been taken on the directions of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The CAA has suffered Rs2.5 billion loss during the last 10 days, sources said.

The sources maintained that empty aircraft sent to Saudi Arabia to bring back the Pakistani pilgrims.

The national flag carrier suspended flights on several routes, including China, Kuwait, Qatar, Italy, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The aviation industry was badly affected by the coronavirus outbreak across the world.

Experts warned that most of the airlines will face bankruptcy by end of May owing to the deadly virus.

The airline already carries Rs17 billion loss for 2019, now has to soak up additional financial loss of Rs12 billion per month in case of complete international flights suspension, sources said.

Sources added that if the current lockdown continues for next two months the aggregated loss would surpass Rs50 billion, dragging the airline towards closure.

Moreover, in Pakistan, the number of coronavirus cases has exploded to over 510, with Sindh province the worst hit.