PIA on Sunday apologised for a change in flight schedule of one of its flight on Saturday, saying it was necessary for passenger safety. A spokesperson for the national carrier said that the departure time of PK-303 was rescheduled on Saturday, October 20 after the aircraft, an Airbus A-310, developed a technical fault after landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.
According to him, one of aircraft's three hydraulic systems developed a leak and had to be fixed before the aircraft could takeoff safely. Besides, he said, the airport "remains closed between 1pm and 3pm, adding that the flight takeoff was planned so that it could land at Karachi after 3pm.
"Safety is paramount for PIA in operation of flights. PIA management has issued strict instructions to its pilots and engineers to be more vigilant and not compromise on safety come what may, particularly in inclement weather and due to technical reasons, the airline's spokesperson said.
"We regret and apologise...for the inconvenience and discomfort caused to (passengers) some times due to changes in flight schedule because of unavoidable circumstances and in the best interest and safety" of air travellers.
"All safety precautions for a flight to take off are necessary as per international aviation practices, and particularly after two devastating air crashes in Islamabad in which many families...had to suffer irreparable loss of their dear ones."
PIA, he said, was an airline "with...best pilots and engineers recognised in the aviation world with around 60 years of operational experience. It is an established international airline operator under the watchful eyes of many international agencies, including the European Union", PIA's spokesperson maintained.-PR