Faulty flight sparks protest at airport

RAWALPINDI:

Passengers of a private airline flight bound for Madinah from New Islamabad International Airport staged a strong protest after repeated delays and the aircraft's return due to a technical fault.

Following negotiations, airline officials assured passengers they would be sent to Saudi Arabia on another aircraft on Wednesday morning.

The passengers included elderly people, women, children and several employees who needed to return to their jobs. They eventually departed for their destination at around 10.30am on Wednesday after an alternate aircraft was arranged.

Airport authorities, however, denied reports that passengers staged a sit-in on the runway, saying the situation developed briefly after the aircraft experienced a technical issue.

According to details, the situation became tense when passengers of Air Blue flight PA-2766 gathered near the aircraft bay and protested. Passengers told The Express Tribune that the flight was scheduled to depart for Madinah at 1pm on Tuesday and they had arrived at the airport three hours earlier.

After boarding, they were informed that the aircraft had developed a technical fault and departure would be delayed by two hours. Later, they were repeatedly told more time was required.