LAHORE: The first-ever direct flight of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to Sydney, scheduled for Friday (today), has been delayed, following security issues.

According to a PIA spokesperson, “the national flag carrier’s maiden Lahore-Sydney flight has been deferred on the advice of the Australian Homeland Affairs Department as it wants to reassess the prevailing security situation of the country and review the security apparatus and procedures adopted at the Pakistani airports”.

“Two weekly flights have been cancelled. The passengers have been asked either to take a refund or wait till next month,” an official told Dawn on Thursday. He said an Australian team would arrive here shortly to examine the security.

There was a strong demand by the Pakistani diaspora in Australia for direct flights as it was forced to take a 35-hour long journey via Middle Eastern transit points. With PIA’s direct flights, the travel duration with total journey would last only 12.5 hours.

Necessary permissions were obtained from the Australian Civil Aviation Authority. Flights were mounted in the system and they drew a healthy response.

“However, in a last moment development, the Department of Homeland Affairs of Australia, consequent to the detailed assessment of the security protocols adopted at Karachi and Lahore airports, has sought for more time and advised the PIA to cancel its first two flights, till the time its review is complete,” the PIA said and added it would comply with all the regulations and security reviews.

“The Pakistani High Commission in Australia is in constant contact with the authorities concerned for amicable and expeditious resolution of the matter,” the spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2022