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PAA Refutes Reports of ‘Averted Accident’ at Islamabad Airport
PAA clarifies that a Saudia flight’s go-around at Islamabad Airport was a routine safety procedure—not an averted accident—urging media to avoid sensationalism.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-26
PAA Refutes Reports of ‘Averted Accident’ at Islamabad Airport

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday rejected media reports claiming that a Saudia Airlines flight narrowly avoided a major accident at Islamabad International Airport, clarifying that the incident was a standard and internationally recognised safety procedure.

Several media outlets had reported that flight SV278 — travelling from Jeddah to Islamabad — was prevented from landing on a closed runway due to timely intervention by an air traffic controller. The aircraft, which was scheduled to land at 4:05pm, eventually touched down more than an hour later at 5:13pm.

In its statement, the PAA said the aircraft’s go-around was not an emergency situation but a routine aviation manoeuvre. It noted that the flight referenced in media reports was SV728, and the action taken was “executed precisely as per established protocols”.

“A go-around is a standard and internationally practised safety measure,” the authority said, adding that it is a safe, routine manoeuvre used to discontinue a landing approach and reposition the aircraft for another attempt. It cited global aviation guidelines noting that go-arounds are commonly executed to maintain the highest levels of operational safety.

The PAA urged the media to avoid portraying such routine aviation procedures in a “sensational manner”, warning that exaggerated reporting could cause unnecessary concern among passengers and mislead the public about normal aviation practices.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and maintaining strong safety protocols across all airports in Pakistan. It also acknowledged the media as a valuable partner in public communication and encouraged responsible reporting based on verified information.
Tagged:

AviationSafety

PAA

IslamabadAirport

SaudiaAirlines
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