PIA shifts Sialkot flight operations to Lahore airport

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced that flight operations from Sialkot have been temporarily suspended, the airline’s spokesperson said on Friday.

According to a NOTAM issued by Sialkot International Airport, operations at the airport have been suspended.

In view of the situation, PIA has shifted its Sialkot flight operations to Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.

All flights scheduled to operate from Sialkot will now depart from Lahore.

Passengers have been advised to stay in touch with the airline’s call centre at 111-786-786 for timely updates and flight schedules to avoid inconvenience.

According to Sialkot International Airport spokesperson Muhammad Umair Khan, flood water entered the airport from the southern side, prompting the closure of air operations yesterday. The suspension remains in effect today as well.

Efforts to drain flood water are ongoing, with all airport personnel engaged in the operation. Dewatering pumps and machinery have been deployed to clear the affected areas. Umair Khan said that all equipment at the airport remains safe, and most of the central parts, including the runway and parking lot, have not been significantly affected.

The wider Sialkot region continues to face flood-related challenges for the fourth consecutive day. All government and private schools have been closed in response to the situation.

With the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers continue ravaging Punjab, monsoon clouds started developing in central and southern Punjab, producing thunderstorms and heavy rain in Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Khanewal and nearby areas on Friday afternoon.

Read more: Extremely high flood in Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej submerges more areas

Latest satellite images at dark clouds over central, southern and northeastern Punjab as well as some parts of eastern Balochistan.

Meanwhile, scattered downpour also lashed Lahore and other parts of northeastern Punjab.

Northeastern Punjab — including Narowal and Sialkot along with Kasur further south — is one of the worst affected areas due to the overflowing Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab.