Karachi Airport Attack: UAE passengers safe

Emirates has confirmed all passengers on board flight EK603 are safe at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, which was on the tarmac last night when terrorists launched their attack on the premises.

In a statement to Emirates 24|7, an Emirates spokesperson confirmed: “Due to the closure of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Sunday, June 8, EK603, the Karachi to Dubai service, was cancelled.

“Under the guidance of the Pakistan Military the passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft and were taken to a secure area of the terminal.

“When the airport reopens, all passengers will be rebooked on to alternate Emirates flights to continue their journey.”

In Pictures: Deadly terror attack at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport

Meanwhile, the airport in Karachi remains closed, with both Emirates and Etihad confirming flights are delayed and being rebooked for passengers who were scheduled to fly to the Pakistan port city.

Emirates reaffirmed this, saying: “The closure of the airport will affect other Emirates services on this route and passengers are reminded to check on Emirates.com for flight status updates.

“Emirates apologises for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised.”

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad also issued a statement, saying: “Due to the closure of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Etihad Airways has delayed its flight EY221 from Abu Dhabi to Karachi on Sunday 8 June, and flight EY222 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi on Monday 9 June.

“The new flight schedule is as follows: Sunday 8 June’s flight EY221 from Abu Dhabi to Karachi will now depart on Monday 9 June at 5.05pm; Monday 9 June's flight EY222 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi will now depart on the same evening at 8.:30pm.”

The airline said it will continue to monitor the security situation in Karachi, in wake of fresh gunfire is being reported at Jinnah International.

The airline further said: “Passengers currently in transit at our hub in Abu Dhabi are being provided with hotel accommodation and lounge access.

“We apologise for the delay, however, the safety of passengers and airline staff is of paramount importance to Etihad Airways.”

UAE’s Pakistan expats shocked

The terror attack at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport that has left 26 dead has shocked the Pakistani expats in the UAE.

Amin Polani, who just flew in to Dubai from Karachi the day before, had a close call.

“My flight was overbooked and Emirates airline had in fact offered me a ticket on the flight for the next day, but I insisted that I had to be back at work. Or else, I would’ve been there now,” he recalls.

The terror attack, he admits, has left everyone in his country deeply disturbed as Karachi is the country’s “biggest airport”.

“We always thought the airport was safe because the security is very high there. Now, even that has been penetrated.”

He adds that the reaction from the Pakistani security forces has been quick. “They have showed that there is no place for negotiations in such situations.

“They contained the attack in five hours, and have limited the civilian casualty,” said the Al Nahda resident.

Jawad Iqbal, another Pakistani expat and resident of the same area, is equally upset with the unfortunate events that unfolded in his homeland.

“I have been glued to the television set since last night. Even today, I haven’t gone to work. I’m just watching all the updates. It’s very disturbing.”

He is scheduled to travel to Karachi with his wife and children early next month, but is worried if it’s safe to travel.

“It’s often more difficult for the women. They get really shaken by these events,” he adds.

Even Jawad believes the airport to be one of the safest places, so to see it under attack is rather worrying.

“Karachi is a safe city, and the people are so happy there. Often what the international media shows is not the real picture,” he claims.

Dubai resident Tayeba Hussain, whose father flew down from Karachi yesterday in an earlier flight said: “I am in shock. My dad flew back from Karachi on Sunday morning. What if he had taken a later flight?

“My mom is still in the city, scheduled to fly back on Thursday. Being distressed is a mild term to describe how I feel right now.”

Hussain continued: “Growing up in Dubai, I regularly spent summers in Karachi. But of late, in wake of the growing terror attacks in Pakistan, I have been hesitating returning home over safety concerns.

“I am not sure if I will be returning to Karachi in the near future until the situation calms down.”

This sentiment was echoed by Abdul Basit Qureshi, who said: “After last night’s events, I am most certainly not returning to Karachi or allowing my family to fly there until the country on the whole is safe again to travel.

“I was watching the news with my mother last night, while we were desperately trying to contact our families back home.
Maryam Ali Khan said: “First news of Taftan, then Karachi. When will this nightmare end for us? I am not scared anymore; I am just furious.

“I pray that this nightmare ends soon for us and for those who lost their lives yesterday to this senseless attack.”


 

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