RAWALPINDI: A water pipe burst on Monday flooded a portion of the domestic baggage claims and check-in area at the new Islamabad International Airport.

Videos of the pipe burst show water flooding the baggage area. Shortly afterwards, concerned staff were called and the damaged pipe was repaired.

However, a senior Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told Dawn this was a minor leak caused due to mishandling by labour and that there was no damage to the fittings and machines.

CAA Director Media Management Syed Aamir Mehboob also said this was not a big leak and was caused during testing which is not unusual. He said all facilities, equipment and machines are being tested before the airport is made operational.

However, in a late night statement issued by CAA, the authority’s spokesman clarified that during a test trial, the contractors detected a leak in the pipe which was repaired within the shortest time.

“The leakage was minor and no damage to the facilities was observed. The pipes as well as the equipment are all in good shape,” the spokesman added.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2018