LAHORE- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has raised safety concerns after aircraft PK150 landed on an unlit runway at Lahore Airport (LHE) on January 17, 2025. This is the latest incident in the airline’s checkered operational history.
According to FlightRadar24 data, the PIA flight departed Dammam (DMM) around 11:30 PM UTC. After nearly three hours in the air, the jet diverted to Lahore.
Pakistan Airlines Pilots Blunder
The flight was operated by an over-11-year-old Airbus A320 registered as AP-BON that was diverted to Lahore from its scheduled destination of Multan owing to severe fog.
Air traffic control approved the aircraft to land on runway 36R, but the flight crew landed on runway 36L, which had its lights turned out at the time of the incident.
The airline management responded by grounding both the captain and first officer pending an investigation. This incident occurs at a particularly delicate time for PIA, which was recently cleared by safety inspectors to resume its European operations.
The PIA’s operating issues go beyond this latest event. The airline’s history includes contentious maintenance methods, such as the ritualistic sacrifice of goats, documented occurrences of passenger overcrowding, and the finding of pilots flying under false licenses.
Aviation specialists have identified severe shortcomings in cockpit resource management across the corporation.
Financial volatility exacerbates these operational challenges. The airline struggles to maintain basic operations, such as obtaining enough jet fuel for its flights.
Employees have violently protested the Pakistani government’s plans to privatize the carrier, with law enforcement using rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas.
The privatization initiative seeks to solve deep-rooted corruption within the corporation, where the airline supposedly operates as a patronage system. However, labor unions resist these reforms, considering them as a danger to the organization’s established methods.
Similar Incidents
This is not the first time pilots have made a mistake connected to the runway or taxiways.
Southwest Airlines (WN) was subject to a federal inquiry in June 2024 after departing from a blocked runway in Portland, Maine, one of numerous recent high-profile aviation ground accidents involving major carriers.
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into Southwest Flight WN4805’s departure from Portland International Airport.
The plane took off from Runway 29 at 5:42 a.m. on Tuesday, despite the runway being closed until 5:45 a.m. and the presence of a car on the ground. Air traffic controllers sought to alert the flight crew before to takeoff.
In a separate incident at Boston Logan International Airport, British Airways (BA) faced operational disruption when one of its Airbus A380 aircraft became stuck due to a navigational error while taxiing.
The event, which occurred on October 18, 2024, impacted one of the carrier’s several daily flights between London Heathrow and Boston.
On December 5, 2024, Air India (AI) pilots attempted to take off from a taxiway at Goa’s Manohar International Airport, adding to the list of ground mishaps.
When air traffic controllers noticed the error, the aircraft crew quickly aborted their takeoff attempt. The Tata Group-owned carrier flew from Mopa’s freshly opened airfield.
FAQ
What happened with the Pakistan International Airlines flight?
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight mistakenly landed on the wrong runway, leading to an investigation into the incident.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at an airport where the pilots of a PIA aircraft landed on an unintended runway.
What caused the pilots to land on the wrong runway?
The exact cause is under investigation, but possible factors include communication errors, weather conditions, or pilot oversight.
Were there any injuries reported in the incident?
No injuries were reported. All passengers and crew members were safe after the landing.
How is Pakistan International Airlines addressing the incident?
PIA has initiated a thorough investigation and is reviewing its flight operations and pilot training to prevent future occurrences.
What are the consequences of landing on the wrong runway?
Landing on the wrong runway can pose safety risks, such as potential collisions or insufficient runway length, but no such issues occurred in this case.
Will the pilots face disciplinary action?
If the investigation reveals negligence or procedural errors, the pilots could face disciplinary measures, including retraining or suspension.
How often do such incidents occur in aviation?
Wrong runway landings are rare but not unheard of. They often result from miscommunication or poor visibility and are taken seriously by authorities.
What measures are in place to prevent such incidents?
Aviation authorities enforce strict protocols, including enhanced pilot training, clear air traffic control instructions, and advanced navigational systems.
Is it safe to fly with Pakistan International Airlines after this incident?
PIA remains committed to passenger safety and is taking corrective measures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
