PIA flight aborts takeoff after tyres burst, passengers safe

Captain activated the emergency braking system, successfully bringing the aircraft to a halt

By Sher Ali Khalti
October 03, 2024
A representational image showing  a PIA aeroplane on the tarmac. — APP/file
A representational image showing  a PIA aeroplane on the tarmac. — APP/file 

LAHORE: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Dubai to Multan on Wednesday encountered a critical issue during takeoff when all the aircraft’s tyres burst, forcing the flight to abort its departure.

The Airbus A320, carrying 172 passengers, was accelerating on the runway when an engine malfunction warning was detected, according to a PIA spokesperson. In response, the captain activated the emergency braking system, successfully bringing the aircraft to a halt.

However, the sudden braking caused the tyres to burst, prompting the immediate evacuation of passengers to the airport lounge for safety. PIA’s engineering team from Karachi has been dispatched to Dubai to resolve the technical fault. In the meantime, arrangements were made for the passengers, with some accommodated on PIA flight PK 204 from Dubai to Lahore. Others will be flown from Sharjah to Multan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan International Airlines has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Turkey starting on September 28, 2024. The suspension, expected to last until October 13, has been attributed to payment delays concerning inventory and airport slots, according to sources. The national carrier operates four weekly flights from Islamabad and Lahore to Turkey. Affected passengers have been advised to stay updated on rescheduling options as PIA works to resolve the issue.

In another incident, Pakistan International Airlines flight PK260, an Airbus A320-200 en route from Muscat to Peshawar, was forced to divert to Karachi on September 29, 2024, due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft landed safely and returned to service on October 1 after necessary repairs. When contacted, a PIA spokesperson emphasized that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority. “Whenever an aircraft faces technical issues, we dispatch our technical team to resolve them. We cannot question their (technical team) intentions, as they make every effort to ensure the aircraft is operational,” the spokesperson added.