Heavy rains paralyze Islamabad Airport, flights delayed and cancelled

RAWALPINDI: Passengers at Islamabad International Airport on Thursday faced a major scare as heavy rains disrupted flights in the twin cities.

The heavy rains brought the airport’s bustling operations to a standstill. Dozens of domestic and international flights were either delayed, grounded or cancelled altogether, completely disrupting travel plans.

British Airways flight BK2160 was delayed by three hours, while a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight to Dubai was also grounded. The private airline’s Karachi-bound service was stranded on the tarmac for more than two hours and that was just the beginning.

All flights to Jeddah, Doha, Muscat, Riyadh, Dubai and Baku were affected, with delays of up to an hour. Long lines, confusion at the terminals and frustrated passengers turned the airport into a scene of chaos.

The worst hit was the Islamabad-Skardu route, a vital lifeline for tourists and locals. Poor visibility and incessant rain at Skardu forced authorities to suspend operations altogether. PIA’s PK-451 and PK-452, along with Air Sial’s PF-121 from Karachi, were all cancelled, leaving hundreds stranded and frustrated.

By midday, Islamabad Airport’s official flight portal confirmed at least six cancellations and widespread delays across the board. Aviation authorities blamed severe weather, with heavy clouds and low visibility making take-offs and landings extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, passengers expressed anger over the lack of communication and poor contingency planning. Meteorologists reported that rainfall at the airport reached 61 mm, with even more rain in surrounding sectors, severely affecting air traffic control operations.

With more rain forecast, airport officials are on high alert, but travelers have been warned to be prepared for continued disruptions in the coming days.