Lahore airport warns illegal constructions, high-rise buildings near landing area can cause accidents

LAHORE: The Lahore airport management has warned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and relevant departments that high-rise buildings, colonies and illegal constructions near the landing area can cause accidents at any point. 

Lahore airport manager Akhtar Mirza issued the warning, in separate letters, which were sent to the CAA, commissioner Lahore and director-general Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

"Tall buildings and colonies built around Lahore airport are dangerous for planes,” Mirza informed officials in the letter. He added that despite issuing multiple warnings, the LDA and relevant authorities have yet to take action in this regard.

“Illegal constructions around the take-off and approach areas can result in an accident at any point,” states the letter. It adds that the CAA does not have the authority to take action against illegal constructions and that the LDA should be urged to take notice of the problem. 

Also read: Aviation minister says degrees, licenses of pilots should be checked following PIA plane crash

The letter comes in the backdrop of last month's PIA Airbus A-320 crash in Karachi which caused the deaths of 97 people on May 22. 

On May 22, the Karachi-bound PIA flight carrying 99 passengers had crashed into a neighbourhood in the metropolis’ Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir, right outside the airport's boundary wall and mere seconds before it was to make an emergency landing.

Only two survived the crash — the chief executive of the Bank of Punjab and a young engineer.

The actual reason for the crash remains unknown as investigations are underway.