Commercial flight operations at Allama Iqbal International Airport will be suspended for three hours each day over a 70-day period during the monsoon season as a precaution against increased bird activity, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Wednesday.
The aviation regulator said both runways would remain closed daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. between July 5 and September 15 after assessments showed a significant rise in bird movement around the airport during the rainy season.
The authority said bird activity in and around the airport, particularly below an altitude of 3,000 feet, increases considerably during the monsoon, heightening the risk of bird strikes during aircraft take-offs and landings.
The PAA has advised pilots to exercise heightened caution during arrival and departure procedures. Airlines have also been directed to carry adequate fuel reserves to accommodate potential delays caused by ground or airborne holding.
The authority said routine commercial flights would continue to operate outside the restricted hours, while emergency landings would be accommodated whenever necessary.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to notify airlines and flight operators of the temporary operational arrangements.
The PAA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety while seeking to minimize inconvenience to passengers and airline operators during the temporary restrictions.