Flight Operation Hours Suspended at Lahore Airport for 2.5 Months

Jul 1, 2025

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan has announced the suspension of daily flights at Allama Iqbal Airport (Lahore) from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM between July 1 and September 15, 2025. Recently, Bird Strick activities have been seen at the Lahore Airport, in which an AirSial flight from Lahore to Dubai returned to the ramp due to a bird strike. The PIA flight from Karachi with 200 passengers on board narrowly escaped an accident after it was hit by a bird at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport while landing.

“The runway closure will be in effect daily from 5 am to 8 am, starting July 1 until September 15, 2025,” according to the PAA NOTAM.

Passengers are requested to check the status of the flight before coming to the airport. The airlines are instructed to adjust their flight schedules accordingly, considering check-in availability, aircraft parking, and lounge capacity.

Key Details

Closure Period: July 1 to September 15, 2025
Daily Timing: 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
Reason: Increased bird activity around the airport during the monsoon, which poses a significant hazard to aircraft during takeoff and landing .
Scope: All domestic and international flights are affected; airlines have been instructed to adjust schedules accordingly to minimize passenger disruption .
Emergency Exception: In case of emergencies, the runway may be used at the pilot’s discretion

Last year, in 2024, the Allama Iqbal Airport (Lahore) recorded the highest number of bird strikes with 28 incidents reported. Islamabad had 18, Karachi 17, Multan 14, and Faisalabad 6.

The Lahore Commissioner has instructed the LWMC (Lahore Waste Management Company) to remain vigilant and immediately clean up the areas after rain stops. Rainfall is being recorded at 16 key locations across Lahore, he added.

Meanwhile, WASA has also been directed to ensure all machinery, disposal stations, and backup systems remain fully functional, particularly in low-lying and main road areas, to ensure timely drainage of rainwater.