By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: British Airways on Tuesday suspended its direct flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Islamabad owing to operational issues for fifteen days (June1-30).
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority in a statement cited the United Kingdom’s flag carrier as announcing the move.
The PCAA however clarified that British Airways did not suspend its operation because of non-availability of fuel at Islamabad International Airport, saying reports claiming that to be the case were “incorrect”.
“The Station Manager of British Airways at Islamabad Airport telephonically informed the Airport Manager PCAA Islamabad that flights to Islamabad will continue to operate till June 15,” the PCCA said in its statement.
“However due to operational reasons, British Airways has suspended the flights to Islamabad from June 15 to 30, 2022,” the PCAA said adding, “The suspension of flights is only due to operational reasons.
The PCAA said they checked with the supplier of aviation fuel at Islamabad Airport and the company confirmed there was no shortage of fuel and storage tanks were full of product.
The aviation body informed that British Airways will soon issue a clarification in this regard.
“Local management of British Airways at Islamabad is in coordination with Airport Manager PCAA Islamabad,” it added.
Earlier in March, following the expiration of an agreement, British Airways had stopped its Lahore to London flights.
British Airways started operating flights between the two cities in October 2020. The airline, however, will continue to operate indirect flights between Islamabad and London.
British Airways’ direct flights to Pakistan resumed in June 2019 after a 10-year break. The carrier first flew to Islamabad in 1976.
A suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad in September 2008 caused the airline to suspend its Pakistan operations. At least 60 people were killed and more than 260 injured.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
