KARACHI, April 24: An Islamabad-bound PIA flight was delayed for over two hours on Tuesday after a freight loading machine hit the aircraft’s body at Quaid-i-Azam International Airport, damaging its exterior.

A PIA spokesman said that at about 6.30pm, the machine slightly touched the exterior of the A-310 aircraft while loading baggage into it, due to an “error of judgment” by its operator, who also suffered injuries.

He said that the flight, PK-370, was due to take off at about 7.15pm, but was not allowed to take off due to the incident. After necessary repairs and maintenance, the aircraft was allowed to take off for Islamabad.

The spokesman said that the operator of the machine was taken to a hospital for treatment.