Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Dubai to Multan encountered a serious technical issue on Monday when all the aircraft’s tyres burst during takeoff. The incident, which involved an Airbus A320 carrying 172 passengers, occurred after the captain was forced to abort the departure due to an engine malfunction warning, a PIA spokesperson confirmed.
As the plane accelerated on the runway, the malfunction warning prompted the captain to activate the emergency brake system, bringing the aircraft to a halt. However, the sudden stop caused all the tyres to burst, necessitating immediate action to ensure the passengers’ safety. Passengers were promptly transferred to the airport lounge while the airline’s engineering team was dispatched from Karachi to address the technical issue.
PIA engineers dispatched as passengers rebooked on alternative flights
A PIA engineering team was sent from Karachi on a flight scheduled between Monday night and Tuesday morning to rectify the fault. In the meantime, PIA management arranged alternative travel for the stranded passengers. Some passengers were rebooked on PIA flight PK 204 from Dubai to Lahore, while others were rerouted through Sharjah to Multan.
The national flag carrier’s quick response ensured that passengers were accommodated with minimal disruption. However, this incident adds to the challenges PIA is facing amid broader organizational changes, including its pending privatization.
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In a separate development, Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission has extended the bidding deadline for PIA’s privatisation by one month, moving it to October 31, 2024. The extension, reported by ARY News, comes as a surprise to interested companies, raising concerns over its impact on the process.
Despite the extension, all preparations for the original October 1 deadline were reportedly in place, with a consortium of six private companies, including Blue World City, Air Blue, Arif Habib, Fly Jinnah, Pak Ethanol, and YB Holdings, still vying for control of the airline. The draft agreement is now set to be signed on October 25, while advance deposits, originally due on September 27, must be submitted by October 28.
Aviation sources warn that the delay could negatively affect the privatisation process, though the Privatisation Commission has yet to provide a clear explanation for the decision.
