Security threats: Night operations suspended at BKIA
Flights will resume once security arrangements are improved
PESHAWAR:
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to temporarily suspend flight operations at night from Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) Peshawar in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in the provincial capital.
“The threat of firing incidents on passenger planes has been reduced by almost 90%. However, until we can ensure complete security to our passengers, we have decided to temporarily suspend flight operations at night,” said CAA Director General Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Yousaf.
Speaking to the media at BKIA on Thursday, Yousaf said a total of 11 airlines operate from the airport.
According to the DG, Etihad Airways was ready to resume operations from BKIA from October 15. However, this has been further delayed after false media reports of firing on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane.
False alarm
“The only thing we need to focus on is to confirm any news report before it goes on-air on television or gets printed in the newspaper,” Yousaf said, rejecting reports of firing on a PIA passenger plane on Tuesday.
He requested the media to confirm their facts and not raise alarm by reporting celebratory firing as an attack on passenger planes.
On Tuesday, television channels reported a PIA flight carrying passengers from Abu Dhabi had come under fire near Suleman Khel minutes before it landed at BKIA. However, CAA, PIA and police vehemently rejected the reports.
Security arrangements on passenger planes have become a crucial concern ever since unidentified gunmen opened fire at a PIA passenger plane on June 24 while it was landing at BKIA. The gun attack resulted in the death of a passenger while two others, including a crew member, were injured.
As a result, all international airlines suspended their services at the airport due to security concerns. However, all airlines except Etihad Airways resumed operations shortly afterwards.
Security dynamic
According to Yousaf, security arrangements at the airport are being upgraded and BKIA will be provided with modern facilities. Strict security measures have been implemented at all major airports by the interior ministry, the DG added. “We are now planning to install technical security systems at all major airports across the country.”
Police and other law enforcement agencies have been stationed throughout BKIA and full-fledged security arrangement has been made, Yousaf said.
Homecoming: Hajj pilgrims return home
The first Hajj flight carrying 308 pilgrims arrived at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) on Thursday.
Saudi Airlines flight SV-798 reached BKIA at 12:45pm from Jeddah. The pilgrims’ relatives reached the airport to receive them despite arrangements to drive the pilgrims to Qayyum Sports Stadium where relatives could pick them up from.
Shaheen Airlines flight NL-718, which was scheduled to arrive at BKIA at 8pm, was rescheduled for 9:30pm owing to the influx of pilgrims at Jeddah airport.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2014.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to temporarily suspend flight operations at night from Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) Peshawar in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in the provincial capital.
“The threat of firing incidents on passenger planes has been reduced by almost 90%. However, until we can ensure complete security to our passengers, we have decided to temporarily suspend flight operations at night,” said CAA Director General Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Yousaf.
Speaking to the media at BKIA on Thursday, Yousaf said a total of 11 airlines operate from the airport.
According to the DG, Etihad Airways was ready to resume operations from BKIA from October 15. However, this has been further delayed after false media reports of firing on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane.
False alarm
“The only thing we need to focus on is to confirm any news report before it goes on-air on television or gets printed in the newspaper,” Yousaf said, rejecting reports of firing on a PIA passenger plane on Tuesday.
He requested the media to confirm their facts and not raise alarm by reporting celebratory firing as an attack on passenger planes.
On Tuesday, television channels reported a PIA flight carrying passengers from Abu Dhabi had come under fire near Suleman Khel minutes before it landed at BKIA. However, CAA, PIA and police vehemently rejected the reports.
Security arrangements on passenger planes have become a crucial concern ever since unidentified gunmen opened fire at a PIA passenger plane on June 24 while it was landing at BKIA. The gun attack resulted in the death of a passenger while two others, including a crew member, were injured.
As a result, all international airlines suspended their services at the airport due to security concerns. However, all airlines except Etihad Airways resumed operations shortly afterwards.
Security dynamic
According to Yousaf, security arrangements at the airport are being upgraded and BKIA will be provided with modern facilities. Strict security measures have been implemented at all major airports by the interior ministry, the DG added. “We are now planning to install technical security systems at all major airports across the country.”
Police and other law enforcement agencies have been stationed throughout BKIA and full-fledged security arrangement has been made, Yousaf said.
Homecoming: Hajj pilgrims return home
The first Hajj flight carrying 308 pilgrims arrived at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) on Thursday.
Saudi Airlines flight SV-798 reached BKIA at 12:45pm from Jeddah. The pilgrims’ relatives reached the airport to receive them despite arrangements to drive the pilgrims to Qayyum Sports Stadium where relatives could pick them up from.
Shaheen Airlines flight NL-718, which was scheduled to arrive at BKIA at 8pm, was rescheduled for 9:30pm owing to the influx of pilgrims at Jeddah airport.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2014.