Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced significant operational disruptions, leading to the cancellation of four flights and delays across 36 others, as reported on Saturday.
Canceled flights included PK-325 and PK-326 (Islamabad-Quetta), PK-233 (Islamabad-Dubai), and PK-331 (Multan-Karachi). Several other routes experienced extended delays, with Karachi-Quetta flights PK-310 and PK-311 delayed by over 4.5 hours, and Islamabad-Dammam flight PK-245 delayed by 12.5 hours.
International services from Karachi to Dubai, Jeddah, Medina, and Istanbul also faced delays, while Quetta-Jeddah flight PK-767 was delayed by 1.5 hours.
These disruptions have added to passenger frustrations as PIA continues grappling with operational challenges.
In a related development, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its four-year ban on PIA flights within EU airspace. The ban, imposed in June 2020 due to safety concerns, was lifted after EASA regained confidence in the oversight capabilities of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
While the lifting of the EU ban is a positive step for PIA, the airline continues to grapple with operational challenges domestically. Passengers are advised to stay informed about flight statuses and maintain communication with the airline for updates.