Published: September 15, 2010 – LAHORE – The schedule of PIA’s flights remained disturbed at all major airports including Lahore and the families of the Umra passengers had to face long hours of wait at Allama Iqbal Airport here on Tuesday.
The airline arranged seven to eight flights from Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Karachi to bring back passengers of Umra performers but these flights faced delays of up to 48 hours.
Sources in the Airlines revealed that the flight no. PK 760 from Jeddah to Lahore was delayed by seven hours, PK 754 from Riaz to Islamabad by five hours and PK 732 from Jeddah to Karachi by two hour. Similarly PK 7404 from Jeddah to Karachi was delayed by 48 hours and PK 742 from Jeddad to Islamabad was delayed by six hours. Flights form Islamabad to Riaz and Peshawar to Riaz were delayed by five hours each.
The airlines’ miseries continued as flights remained to be cancelled or delayed despite of the notice taken by the Prime Minister in this regard. PIA’s flight schedule witnessed disturbed since September 6.
The passengers’ families at Allam Iqbal airport protested against the management while the media was also not allowed access to cover the flights situation. According to some media repots, passengers at Jeddah airport also protested against the disturbed flight schedule.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by PIA said the problem occurred due to the unexpected influx of passengers and closure of Jeddah airport. It was stated that from September 16 the departure from Jeddah might become normal.
