Thursday, May 9, 2024 A sudden fire at Allama Iqbal International Airport caused panic, disrupting international and Hajj flights, and sparking immediate investigations. A fire at Lahore airport in Pakistan early Thursday morning disrupted several international flights, including the first two Hajj flights of the season. The fire, which ignited in the ceiling above the immigration counter, quickly filled the lounge with smoke, necessitating an immediate evacuation of the premises.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze, which resulted in considerable damage to the immigration area. The incident led to the delay of the inaugural Hajj flight and five other international flights, including Qatar Airways flight QR 629. Despite the potential for significant disruptions, incoming international flights continued to land as scheduled.
The airport authorities managed to handle the situation without rerouting flights to other airports, maintaining operations at the arrival desks. In response to the emergency, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that the fire, likely caused by an electrical short circuit, had been controlled by the morning. To accommodate both Hajj and international travelers, flight operations were shifted to the domestic departure lounge.
Officials are now focused on minimizing disruptions and ensuring seamless immigration processing for arriving passengers. Normal domestic flight operations are anticipated to resume shortly, a.
