An unusual protest unfolded at Islamabad International Airport when passengers of a Saudi-bound private airline flight staged a sit-in near the runway after facing hours of delays and repeated technical issues. The incident brought airport operations into the spotlight and raised fresh concerns about airline reliability and passenger management.
The private airline’s flight PA-2766, scheduled to depart for Medina at 1:00 PM, experienced significant delays after a technical fault was detected following the boarding process. Passengers said they had arrived at the airport on time but were left waiting for several hours without clear information about when the flight would eventually depart.
According to passengers, the situation worsened when the aircraft finally took off late at night but was forced to return to Islamabad shortly after departure due to another technical malfunction. The unexpected return triggered frustration among travelers who had already spent most of the day waiting at the airport.
Following the aircraft’s return, a number of passengers, including elderly pilgrims, women, children, and working professionals, moved toward an area near the aircraft and launched a sit-in protest. They demanded immediate action from the airline and sought assurances regarding their travel arrangements after enduring repeated delays and uncertainty.
Witnesses reported scenes of exhaustion and anger as passengers expressed concerns about missed commitments, expired leave schedules, and potential financial losses due to the disruption. Initial attempts by airline representatives and airport authorities to persuade the protesters to disperse reportedly failed, with travelers insisting on concrete solutions rather than verbal assurances.
The protest eventually ended after senior airline officials arrived at the airport and held direct talks with the affected passengers. During the negotiations, the airline assured travelers that they would be accommodated on a priority basis and transported to Saudi Arabia on a flight scheduled for 10:00 AM the following morning. To ease the situation overnight, the airline arranged hotel accommodation and transportation for the stranded passengers. The assurances led the protesters to call off the sit-in, bringing the standoff to an end while highlighting concerns over flight delays and passenger service standards.
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