Dubai: Emirates and Etihad Airways delayed their flights to Karachi on Monday following a terrorist attack that closed Pakistan’s Jinnah International Airport.
An Emirates flight was grounded on Sunday at Jinnah International with passengers and crew onboard the aircraft when the attack on the airport took place.
“Under the guidance of the Pakistan military the passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft and were taken to a secure area of the terminal,” an Emirates spokesperson stated.
Syed Saim Rizvi, who was on board a plane on the runway, tweeted: “Huge blast!!!!!! I do not know what’s going on outside — heavy firing started again — full panic on board!” The Sunday EK603 Karachi to Dubai service was cancelled with passengers to be rebooked on alternative Emirates flights once the airport reopened around 3pm local time (UAE).
Emirates flies to Karachi four times daily.
Huge blast !!!!!! I do not know whats going on out side -- heavy firing started again - full panic on board !— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014
As of Monday afternoon on the Dubai to Karachi route, Emirates had cancelled its 1:30am flight, delayed two others, with the evening 6:15pm service on schedule, according to its website.
Etihad did not have any aircraft in Karachi during the attack, however, delayed flights in response.
“Etihad Airways has delayed its flight EY221 from Abu Dhabi to Karachi on Sunday June 8, and flight EY222 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi on Monday June 9,” stated an Etihad spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that, Etihad “will continue to monitor the security situation in Karachi.”
Etihad and Emirates both said that the safety of passengers and crew is of the utmost importance.
An Air Arabia flight bound for Karachi on Sunday did not take off from Sharjah because of the attack, an airline spokesperson confirmed to Gulf News.
Flydubai cancelled its Sunday Karachi-bound flight and the early Monday morning Dubai return service, according to its website. Flydubai is monitoring the situation, an airline spokesperson told to Gulf News.
