LAHORE (Kashmir English): Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, would have to close down its two runways for three hours every day from July 5 to September 15 due to monsoon safety reasons, according to an announcement by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
While closing the runways means commercial planes can’t land between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM, they can still take off otherwise. However, airlines might change their schedule accordingly for early mornings.
As per the closure announcement, the PAA has also sent out a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) informing all airlines and pilots about these temporary restrictions.
According to the NOTAM, there are no operational plans at all on Runways 36R/18L & 36L/18R during the said period. “Activities near the airfield are greatly enhanced during the monsoon months, especially in 3,000 ft, “ft” the notice stated.
“Emergency landings are allowed in this case. If needed, our pilot will decide on using the runway after coordination with air traffic control,” an official statement added.
Further, the PAA directed all pilots to be extra cautious while taking off as well as landing at airports, and asked airlines to have enough fuel to handle any delay resulting from the need for holding both on the ground and in the skies.
“These temporary closures will ensure that we can keep maintaining the high standards of aviation safety required throughout the monsoon season — which brings particular challenges due to the weather and movements of birds,” officials said in the statement.
They had announced these measures ahead of a period of monsoon rains which was expected to hit the country at the beginning of the first week of JuThe weatherther forecast has indicated rains between July 1 and July 6 in Lahore.
The airport expects to make adjustments to its schedule of flights in the early hours during this period of closure, with due emphasis the on safety of passengers and flights.
