ISLAMABAD: Several flights were cancelled amid a thunderstorm alert issued for Islamabad on Friday. Air travel in Pakistan faced disruption on Friday due to heavy rains and a thunderstorm alert. Authorities issued a weather warning, creating challenges for both domestic and international airlines. Consequently, eight flights were cancelled and 34 others faced long delays.
Four Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Islamabad and Gilgit — PK601, PK602, PK603, and PK604 — were cancelled. Similarly, Islamabad–Sukkur flight PK632 and Sukkur–Karachi flight PK636 were scrapped. Additionally, two flights between Karachi and Turbat, PK501 and PK502, were also cancelled.
Flight Delays Between Major Cities
Flight delays created frustration for travellers across the country. The Karachi–Islamabad flights PK300 and PK301 were delayed by one and a half hours. Islamabad private airline flight PA201 was delayed for an astonishing nine hours.
Moreover, five flights between Karachi and Islamabad experienced delays ranging from one to nine hours. Similarly, five departures from Karachi Airport were delayed for one to four hours, further disrupting passenger schedules.
Delays from Lahore and Karachi Airports
Lahore Airport faced severe disruption, with 19 flights delayed by one to ten hours. Notably, a private airline’s Lahore–Abu Dhabi flight PA430 was delayed for 10 hours, affecting international travellers.
Meanwhile, four private airline flights between Karachi and Lahore were delayed by one and a half to four hours. These delays compounded problems for both domestic and international passengers who faced uncertainty about their travel plans.
Passengers Face Severe Inconvenience
With delays stretching up to 10 hours, passengers remained stranded at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports. Families, tourists, and business travellers endured long waiting times and increasing frustration. Airport officials explained that the disruption resulted from heavy rains, a thunderstorm alert, and operational challenges.
Ultimately, the situation highlighted the vulnerability of air travel during extreme weather and administrative inefficiencies. Passengers demanded better contingency planning from airlines and airport authorities to avoid such widespread chaos in the future.
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