KARACHI – Passengers at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport experienced major disruptions on Tuesday as eight flights were abruptly cancelled due to a combination of technical and operational issues, leaving many travelers stranded and frustrated.
Affected Flights and Airlines
The cancellations impacted several airlines and destinations, creating a ripple effect of inconvenience:
- AirBlue: Flight PA-200 to Islamabad was among the first to be cancelled, causing confusion and disappointment for many travelers.
- AirSial: Passengers on flight PF-143 to Lahore had their plans abruptly changed, along with those booked on Serene Air’s flights.
- Serene Air: Faced multiple cancellations including ER-504 to Islamabad, ER-554 to Peshawar, and ER-522 and ER-524 to Lahore.
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): Also saw cancellations with flight PK-306 to Lahore and a delay of over an hour for flight PK-368 to Islamabad.
- Fly Baghdad: Joined the list of affected airlines with the cancellation of flight IF-334 to Najaf.
Passenger Reactions and Concerns
The unexpected wave of cancellations left passengers frustrated and anxious. Many expressed concerns over the reliability of airline operations at one of Pakistan’s busiest airports.
“How are we supposed to trust these airlines when this kind of disruption happens without any warning?” asked a stranded passenger who was hoping to fly to Lahore.
Others echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the need for better communication and contingency plans from the airlines and airport authorities.
Lack of Communication from Airport Management
Adding to the chaos, the airport management has yet to provide a detailed explanation for the cancellations. The absence of an official statement has only fueled the frustration and speculation among travelers.