A strong thunderstorm alert in Islamabad disrupted air travel, leading to multiple flight cancellations and delays across the country. The bad weather created difficulties for passengers as airlines struggled to manage operations.
The Civil Aviation Authority issued the thunderstorm warning early Friday morning. Heavy rain and strong winds reduced visibility, making flying unsafe. To ensure safety, several flights were cancelled while others were delayed for hours.
At Islamabad Airport, at least eight flights were cancelled, including four Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) services between Islamabad and Gilgit. Other routes, such as Islamabad to Sukkur, were also affected. Passengers booked on these flights had to stay at the airport or wait for rescheduling.
Delays added further pressure on passengers. Some flights were held back for up to 10 hours. At Lahore Airport, around 19 flights faced long delays. A private airline flight from Islamabad was delayed by nine hours, while the Lahore to Abu Dhabi service was delayed by 10 hours. Even domestic routes like Karachi to Islamabad saw delays of more than an hour.
Airlines provided food, water, and blankets to waiting passengers. In some cases, hotels were arranged for travelers stuck due to extended delays. Despite these efforts, many passengers expressed frustration as schedules continued to change with the weather.
By late morning, flight operations in Islamabad began to resume. However, delays continued throughout the day as airlines adjusted their schedules. Officials said recovery would take time because the backlog of flights was significant.
The meteorological department has also forecast more unstable weather in parts of Punjab in the coming days. Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines and confirm flight status before traveling to airports.
Also read: Pakistan’s Himalayan Pink Salt Gains Global Recognition with Innovation Award in Belgium
