LAHORE: 4 scheduled flights were cancelled and 8 more delayed at the Allama Iqbal international airport on Sunday due to the technical problems and shortage of planes.
The delays and cancellations come at a time when air safety in Pakistan is being called into question after recent airplane crashes, and one of the largest airports in the country falling to such shortages and technical issues does little to breed confidence.
According to the flight inquiry system present at Allama Iqbal International airport, the PIA’s flights PK 855 from Beijing to Lahore which would continue on to Karachi, PK 318 due to travel from Karachi to Lahore, and the Saudi Airline flight 737 were all delayed due to unknown technical issues in the airplanes.
The PIA flight 897 from Kuala Lumpur to Lahore has been delayed for at least 4 hours and is expected to arrive in Lahore at 20 00 on Sunday. Similarly, PIA flight 897 from Lahore to Karachi is 4 hours 30 minutes late and is expected to land in Karachi at 22 00. Air Blue flight 475 from Riyadh to Lahore has also been delayed by 9 hours and is not expected to arrive before 16 00 on Monday.
Other than this the PIA’s flight from Milan PK 720 was the victim of a 20 minute delay while Qatar Air flight 620 arrived in Lahore after a delay of 30 minutes. Shaheen Air’s flight 768 from Muscat to Lahore was also late by half an hour.
