PAA Issues Precautionary Advisory for August 13 Operations
The Pakistan Airports Authority has directed airlines operating flights to and from Islamabad International Airport to carry additional fuel on Thursday, August 13, amid the possibility of delays linked to scheduled aviation activities.
A Notice to Airmen issued by aviation authorities advised airlines to ensure that aircraft have sufficient fuel reserves while planning flights into the federal capital.
The precaution has been introduced because arriving aircraft could be required to remain airborne in holding patterns before receiving clearance to land.
Such delays can occur when aircraft movements are temporarily restricted or slowed because of scheduled exercises or other operational requirements.
Airlines have therefore been asked to factor possible waiting time into their fuel planning rather than relying only on the fuel normally required for the scheduled journey.
What Does Carrying Extra Fuel Mean for Flights?
The instruction does not mean that every flight arriving in Islamabad will necessarily be delayed.
Instead, airlines have been asked to carry additional holding fuel, which provides aircraft with greater flexibility if air traffic controllers cannot immediately clear them to land.
An aircraft approaching an airport may sometimes be instructed to circle within a designated holding pattern while waiting for the runway or surrounding airspace to become available.
Additional fuel allows pilots to remain in that holding pattern safely without placing unnecessary pressure on the aircraft’s fuel reserves.
It can also give crews greater flexibility if departure operations are delayed on the ground or if changing operational conditions require adjustments to the flight plan.
Similar instructions have previously been issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority when temporary operational restrictions were expected at Islamabad International Airport. During earlier restrictions in 2026, the authority also instructed arriving aircraft to carry sufficient holding fuel to manage possible delays.
Scheduled Exercises Could Affect Aircraft Movements
The latest NOTAM indicates that scheduled exercises could affect aircraft movements around Islamabad International Airport on August 13.
Aviation authorities have therefore taken precautionary measures to minimise any safety concerns resulting from possible waiting periods.
According to the advisory, flights may have to remain airborne for additional time before landing clearance is issued.
The instructions are particularly relevant as Islamabad prepares for Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations on August 14.
Airspace around the federal capital has previously been subjected to temporary restrictions during aviation activities and rehearsals associated with major national events.
In August 2025, for example, the PAA temporarily restricted Islamabad airport operations during specific periods because of aviation activities ahead of Independence Day.
However, passengers should distinguish temporary operational restrictions from a complete airport shutdown.
The latest advisory primarily requires airlines to plan for potential delays and ensure adequate fuel is available.
Several Islamabad Flights Showing Delays on Thursday
Islamabad International Airport remained operational on Thursday, with both domestic and international flights arriving and departing during the day.
Official airport flight information showed numerous flights completing their journeys normally, although several services were also displaying delayed timings.
Among flights listed as delayed on Thursday were services involving destinations including Quetta, Kabul, Karachi and other cities.
However, individual flight delays can result from numerous factors, and the airport’s public flight information does not establish that every delay was caused by the scheduled exercises covered by the NOTAM.
Passengers travelling through Islamabad International Airport should therefore confirm their individual flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
Schedules may change during the day depending on operational conditions.
Safety Remains Primary Reason for Extra Fuel Requirement
Carrying sufficient reserve fuel is an important part of aviation safety.
Airlines normally calculate fuel requirements based on the planned journey, expected weather, alternate airports, regulatory reserves and possible delays.
The latest PAA directive adds another operational consideration by asking airlines serving Islamabad to prepare for potentially longer holding periods.
The measure is intended to ensure that pilots have sufficient fuel available if their aircraft cannot immediately land or take off.
It also reduces the possibility that an aircraft would need to divert to another airport simply because an unexpected operational delay consumed too much of its available fuel.
Islamabad International Airport continues to operate under the management of the Pakistan Airports Authority, which provides live arrival and departure information through the airport’s official platform.
Passengers with flights scheduled for August 13 have been advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines and monitor updated departure and arrival timings before travelling.
