Heavy fog disrupts flight operations at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport

LAHORE: Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport experienced a significant reduction in visibility, with the runway’s limit recorded at only 20 metres due to heavy fog.

This adverse weather condition has severely impacted the flight schedule, leading to cancellations, delays, and diversions affecting both domestic and foreign flights.

Three domestic and foreign flights to and from Lahore were cancelled due to the foggy conditions. Additionally, numerous flights faced delays, while two were diverted to alternative airports.

Among the affected flights was PIA flight PK 280, originating from Doha to Lahore, which was unable to land in Lahore due to the reduced runway visibility.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) officials directed the pilot to reroute the plane to Islamabad, where it safely landed.

In response to the challenging runway conditions, airline pilots across all carriers have been instructed to exercise caution and adopt necessary precautionary measures during both take-off and landing procedures.

Several flights experienced cancellations, including PIA flight PK 305 from Lahore to Karachi, China Southern flight CZ 6037 from Guangzhou to Lahore, CZ 6038 from Lahore to Guangzhou, and PK 263 from Lahore to Abu Dhabi.

Read more: Motorways closed due to fog in Punjab

PIA Flight PK 204 from Dubai to Lahore was diverted to Islamabad, while Fly Jinnah’s Flight P846 from Karachi to Lahore had to be redirected back to Karachi.

Delays were also reported, with Airblue flight PA 411 from Dubai to Lahore delayed for seventeen hours, eventually reaching Lahore at 5 pm on Friday. PIA flight PK 747 from Lahore to Madinah faced a thirteen-hour delay, operating at seven o’clock on Thursday morning.

Additionally, PA 470 experienced a five-hour delay, with the flight eventually taking off at 4 a.m. on Thursday. Airsial flight PF730 from Lahore to Muscat was delayed by 13 hours, departing at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The airport authorities are closely monitoring the weather conditions, and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates on their flights amidst the challenging weather in the Lahore area.