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PIA passengers stranded in Dubai

DUBAI — Several passengers travelling to Karachi from Dubai on Pakistan International Airlines were stranded for the entire day yesterday after the aircraft developed ‘technical glitches.’

PIA officials at the airport, however, said the flight PK214 had been delayed indefinitely after the aircraft made an emergency landing using a single engine.

“During the flight to Dubai, one of the engines developed a technical fault. However, the aircraft made a safe landing using one engine. It is now parked at Terminal 2 and will not be fit for use until repaired,” said an official from PIA’s station at the Dubai International Airport.

He also said the 52 passengers had been given hotel accommodation for the day and they would be accommodated in the evening flight to Karachi PK208.

Passengers due to fly to Karachi yesterday, however, said they were informed of the problem in the aircraft only after they had checked in their luggages and issuance of boarding passes.

“I am sure that the airline officials knew about the problem before the aircraft made a landing. Then why were we checked in and made to wait?” questioned a frustrated passenger.

Other passengers also voiced concerns saying that the airline could have been more responsible and informed them in advance about the technical fault. “Then we would not have struggled to make it to the airport, beating the early morning rush with children,” said M. Khan, another passenger.

The PIA official said, “We realised the extent of the problem only after the plane landed at Dubai Airport.”