A major disruption in air travel occurred on Thursday as several flights of the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), were cancelled and numerous foreign flights experienced delays due to aircraft unavailability and maintenance issues.

Sources report that two PIA flights from Karachi and Lahore to Jeddah were cancelled, including flight PK-832 from Karachi and PK-960 from Lahore Airport. Additionally, a domestic flight from Karachi to Lahore was also grounded.

These cancellations and delays are part of a broader impact, with the arrival and departure of 26 international flights from various airports across Pakistan also facing significant delays.

Also Read: PIA announces massive discount on flights

Just a few days ago, PIA had announced a substantial 30% reduction in fares for flights from Karachi to Jeddah and Madinah. The new fares were part of a promotional offer aimed at making travel more affordable for passengers.

Under the new fare structure, the one-way ticket from Karachi to Jeddah or Madinah was priced at Rs56,000, including taxes. For a round-trip, the fare was reduced to Rs88,000, also inclusive of taxes.

The discounted tickets would be available for purchase until August 31, and the concessional fares will be applicable for travel until September 30, according to a PIA spokesperson. The new fares are effective immediately, providing travellers with an opportunity to benefit from significant savings on their journey to these destinations.