Islamabad/Karachi/Lahore: Travelers at Pakistan’s major airports faced significant disruption today due to major management issues within airlines, resulting in the cancellation of six flights and the delay of 38 other flights. This widespread disruption severely impacted both national and international air travel schedules, jeopardizing the travel plans and crucial engagements of hundreds of passengers.
Significant Number of Flights Grounded
The flight schedule confirmed that both national and private carriers were affected. The six canceled flights included:
- Two private airline flights from Karachi to Islamabad.
- Two private airline flights from Lahore to Dubai.
- Two national airline (PIA) flights from Karachi to Skardu.
Additionally, one foreign airline flight destined for Islamabad was forced to make an alternative landing and diverted back to Tehran, further complicating the day’s operations.
Prolonged Delays Cause Passenger Anguish
The longest and most frustrating waiting periods were experienced by passengers on delayed flights, some of whom faced waits stretching close to half a day.
- Islamabad Airport: Ten flights here experienced delays ranging from 1 to 6.5 hours, while nine other flights were delayed by 1 to a staggering 10 hours.
- Lahore and Karachi: Lahore Airport saw 8 flights delayed by 1 to 2 hours, and Karachi Airport had 10 flights delayed by 1 to 8.5 hours.
- Private and National Carriers: Two private airline flights from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi suffered severe delays of up to 10 hours. The national airline’s Karachi to Jeddah flight was delayed by 8.5 hours, and two Karachi to Islamabad flights were delayed by 5 hours, forcing passengers into grueling waits in the lounges.
While clear details on the root causes of these delays remain sparse from the administration, the sheer magnitude of the disruption raises serious questions about the operational management of the airlines and reflects a disregard for the value of passengers’ time and commitment.
