Diverted flights cause rush at capital airport

Travellers face problems due to delayed check-ins, clearance

RAWALPINDI:

Due to the fog and bad weather conditions in the plains of Punjab, the Islamabad International Airport is under the pressure of diverted flights. Due to delays in check-in etc., long queues of passengers were formed and many national and international travellers faced serious problems.

According to sources, normal scheduled flights as well as the diverted flights from Lahore and other affected cities are being operated at the Islamabad International Airport due to fog.

An unusual rush of passengers is being seen in the departure and arrival lounges of the national and international flights. Complaints of sluggishness due to pressure in the check-in and clearance process at the check-in counters, including late loading of goods on the conveyor belts, were common. Passengers also faced difficulties in getting their luggage on time.

Passengers arriving from different international locations including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Doha were seen waiting at the airport while there was a rush of people coming to pick up the passengers. In this regard, the spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority said that due to bad weather, flights arriving in Islamabad from other airports are causing pressure on the working of the airport.

Arrangements have been made by the airport management to better deal with the situation and the capital's airport is operating both diverted and scheduled flights. Due to the fog, extraordinary situations have arisen with flights being diverted, delayed and cancelled.