Heavy rain and thick fog triggered major flight disruptions in Islamabad, with airlines changing routes and delaying several flights on Saturday.
The unstable weather reduced visibility around Islamabad International Airport. Therefore, pilots and airport authorities took immediate safety measures throughout the day.
The latest flight disruption created problems for both domestic and international passengers. Moreover, many travelers faced uncertainty after airlines changed flight schedules without long notice.
Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-574 departed from Riyadh and arrived in Islamabad. However, the pilot was unable to land the aircraft due to fog obscuring the runway. Therefore, the captain diverted the plane to Sialkot Airport.
At the same time, Airblue flight operations also faced serious challenges. An Airblue flight from Sharjah approached Islamabad Airport but was unable to land due to worsening weather conditions.
As a result, airport authorities redirected the aircraft to Sialkot. Similarly, another private airline from Sharjah also experienced flight disruptions after pilots reported poor visibility near the airport.
Meanwhile, Fly Jinnah’s flight operations also suffered due to the weather. A Fly Jinnah flight from Quetta to Islamabad later landed at Sialkot Airport after the crew reviewed safety conditions around Islamabad.
Earlier, passengers on AirSial flight PF-125 from Karachi had a difficult journey due to rough weather. The aircraft continued to fly through turbulence for nearly 30 minutes as strong winds and rain affected the route.
However, the captain carefully monitored the weather updates throughout the flight. Later, the pilot decided to avoid Islamabad and safely landed the aircraft at Sialkot Airport.
After landing, several passengers refused to continue their journey on the same flight. Meanwhile, airline representatives encouraged travelers to resume the trip after weather conditions improved.
The ongoing flight disruptions also increased pressure on airport management teams and airline staff. In addition, airport officials continued helping passengers with updated flight information and travel guidance.
Weather experts warned that rain and fog may continue affecting the northern parts of Pakistan over the next several hours. Therefore, airlines advised passengers to contact customer support teams before leaving for the airport.
The recent flight disruptions once again showed how rapidly changing weather conditions can affect aviation operations, passenger schedules, and airport management nationwide.
