KARACHI: Heavy fog in Pakistan’s Punjab province has disrupted flight operation from three major airports, with flights from Lahore, Sialkot and Multan facing cancelations, changes and delays, a spokesperson of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said on Wednesday.
During the winter season, dense fog blankets the plains of the country, particularly affecting regions in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. This diminishes visibility to as low as 100 meters, leading to flight delays and diversions.
Over the past week, a total of 32 flights destined for Faisalabad, Multan, Lahore and other Punjab airports had to be redirected to Islamabad International Airport due to the prevailing fog conditions.
“Severe fog ongoing in the country has affected PIA flights from Lahore, Multan and Sialkot airport,” the airline’s spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, said in a statement, adding the PIA apologized for any inconvenience caused due to these operational challenges.
“Low visibility and intensity of fog pose difficulties in flight operations,” he added. “Flights from Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot may be canceled, changed or delayed due to fog.”
Khan noted that flight operations were usually affected in these cities in winter.
“All passengers are urged to obtain information about their flights from the PIA call center before heading to the airport,” he added.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that dense foggy conditions are expected to continue until next week in most parts of the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.
“We won’t see any relief in fog especially in the plains of the country for the next week or so,” Dr. Zaheer Babar, a Met Office official, told Arab News earlier this week.
He said light rain was expected on December 28 and 29 in the mountainous areas of the country while dry weather was expected to prevail in the plains.
“The foggy conditions may continue to affect transportation,” Babar said. “Therefore, travelers should plan their journeys beforehand to avoid any congestions and delays.”
Heavy fog in Pakistan’s Punjab disrupts flights at Lahore, Sialkot and Multan airports
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Heavy fog in Pakistan’s Punjab disrupts flights at Lahore, Sialkot and Multan airports
- Several flights were canceled last week, with Pakistan International Airlines warning of more delays
- Intense fog can reduce visibility to as little as 100 meters, impacting road travel and flight operations
Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore
- Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
- Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft.
A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.
However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination.
“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement.
It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added.
“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said.
It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.
