KARACHI: Less than three minute was the response time at the biennial drill conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at Karachi airport on Wednesday to check the preparedness of all agencies concerned, including rescue services, in case of an emergency situation.

Scores of volunteers, along with relevant staffs of the CAA, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Airport Security Force (ASF), rescue services of Chhipa and others, participated in the full-scale Airport Emergency Exercise.

A grounded PIA aircraft having no engines was parked on the runway to demonstrate it had made an emergency landing after which the CAA and allied agencies swung into action to rescue the lives of passengers and the crew. But this time round, passengers were evacuated by stairs and not by the emergency chutes of the aircraft.

The exercise began with a mock fire-fighting drill after which an emergency was declared, and firefighters and ambulances rushed in. The fire was extinguished and then the crew and passengers were evacuated.

A CAA spokesman said the full-scale exercise was conducted after every two years at all airports.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2021