Air traffic remains suspended at Lahore airport's main runway

Authorities attempt to remove plane from runway shoulder.

LAHORE: Departure and arrival of larger aircraft on the main runway at Allama Iqbal International Airport remained suspended for the second day after it was closed to air traffic on Friday following the faulty landing of a PIA aircraft, Express News reported on Saturday.

PIA flight PK653, inbound from Islamabad, skidded off the main runway of Lahore’s airport and onto the shoulder while landing.

The main runway remained closed on Saturday as authorities attempted to remove the plane from the runway shoulder. The reason for the delay in moving the aircraft is reportedly the downpour which was initially believed to be the cause of the accident.

Reasons for the accident are being investigated; however initial investigations, based on statements from air traffic control (ATC) and the pilot, have revealed that the pilot attempted to land the plane some 500ft before the touchdown point.

Authorities attempting to move the plane off the runway say it could take up to 3 hours to reopen the runway for larger aircraft.

It was earlier reported that almost a third of PIA flights have suffered delays this year due to technical and administrative reasons, dealing a severe blow to the national flag carrier’s business.