A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight carrying Hajj pilgrims faced a lengthy delay at Jeddah Airport after it reportedly developed a technical fault, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded on board for several hours.
According to 24NewsHD TV channel, PIA Flight PK-860 scheduled from Jeddah to Karachi remained grounded from around 5pm, causing significant inconvenience to pilgrims returning home.
Passengers on board said the aircraft developed a technical problem before departure, and they claimed engineers continued checking the fault while travellers waited inside.
Moreover, the flight was carrying 305 Hajj pilgrims, and several travellers complained that the prolonged wait inside the aircraft caused discomfort and health issues for some passengers.
Meanwhile, passengers said they were not allowed to disembark despite the delay, and they questioned why authorities kept them inside the aircraft during the technical inspection.
Additionally, some passengers reported being confined for nearly seven hours, and they urged immediate steps to ensure comfort and safety during prolonged operational disruptions.
However, no official statement had been issued regarding the exact nature of the technical fault or the expected departure time at the time of reporting.
Furthermore, airline staff and ground engineers continued their inspection process at Jeddah Airport while coordination with operations control in Pakistan remained ongoing to identify and resolve the technical issue affecting the aircraft.
In addition, the delay caused frustration among pilgrims who had completed Hajj rituals, and many expressed concern over lack of communication, urging authorities to provide timely updates and better on-ground passenger support.
Authorities are expected to release a detailed statement once investigations conclude, while passengers await departure as officials work to restore normal flight operations and ensure safe travel for all pilgrims on board.
