PIA Pilots Land on Wrong Runway, Safety Concerns Mount

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faces fresh scrutiny after flight PK150 mistakenly landed on an unlit runway at Lahore Airport (LHE) on January 17, 2025. The incident occurred during a diversion from Multan due to dense fog, highlighting ongoing safety challenges for the embattled airline.

The Airbus A320, registered as AP-BON, had been cleared to land on Runway 36R but instead touched down on Runway 36L, which had its lights deactivated. Both the captain and first officer have been grounded pending investigation.

This incident coincides with PIA’s recent clearance to resume European operations, raising concerns about its operational reliability. The airline has a history of safety lapses, including fraudulent pilot licenses, questionable maintenance practices, and overcrowding incidents.

PIA’s challenges are compounded by financial instability, with the airline struggling to secure jet fuel and maintain routine operations. Efforts to privatize the carrier have sparked employee protests, underscoring resistance to organizational reforms aimed at curbing corruption.

Globally, similar runway-related incidents have occurred. In June 2024, a Southwest Airlines flight took off from a closed runway in Portland, and in December 2024, Air India aborted a taxiway takeoff in Goa. These incidents highlight the growing need for stricter operational vigilance across the aviation sector.

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