Lahore Airport to Shut Down for 3 Hours Daily: What's Behind This Big Decision?

Lahore (The Uttam Hindu): In view of the increasing number of bird hits on planes and the possible accidents caused by it, the Pakistan government has taken a big decision. Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport will be closed for three hours every day during the morning peak hours. This decision will be effective from July 1 to September 15.

According to Pakistani media reports, the Airport Authority has informed all airlines about this decision. According to the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued, the operation of aircraft at Lahore Airport will be completely closed from 5 am to 8 am daily. The authority says that this is the time when there is maximum activity of birds in the sky, due to which the risk of bird hit during takeoff or landing of the aircraft increases significantly.

Officials say that this step has been taken to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft. They believe that this decision will reduce the possibility of accidents in the future. It is worth mentioning that during the monsoon season, the number of birds increases around airports, which can pose a serious threat to the engines of aircraft.

It is worth noting that questions have been raised about aviation safety in Pakistan earlier as well. In May 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, killing about 100 people. Although the cause of that accident was said to be human error, since then extra vigilance is being taken regarding aviation safety rules. This decision of Lahore Airport is being considered an important step in this direction.