KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Sunday issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) highlighting concerns about potential aircraft slippage on the Jinnah Terminal runway at Karachi Airport due to the monsoon rains.
The CAA has particularly pointed out runway 25L as a risk area where rainwater accumulation may lead to slippery conditions.
Pilots are advised to exercise heightened caution during takeoff and landing on this and other wet runways to avoid accidents. Additionally, the CAA has mandated all airlines, training institutions, and charter aviation companies to brief their pilots on these risks and provide the necessary training to handle such conditions effectively.
Aircraft slippage refers to the unintended lateral movement of an aircraft on the runway, which can occur under wet or icy conditions, in strong crosswinds, or due to improper landing techniques. This risk increases when runways are slippery, potentially causing the aircraft tires to lose traction and leading to sideways skidding or sliding.
Furthermore, several flights have been canceled from Karachi for technical and operational reasons. These cancellations include PIA flights from Karachi to Sukkur (PK 536) and Karachi to Gwadar (PK 503), as well as Serene Air flights from Karachi to Islamabad (ER 502) and Lahore (ER 522), and an Air Blue flight to Lahore (PA 402).
