Daily Times

An aerobridge for a flight at the Islamabad International Airport collapsed, injuring an operator of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As the Gulf Airline’s flight GF771, heading from Islamabad to Bahrain, began to taxi, it was separated from a passenger boarding bridge which then collapsed.

A bridge operator Muhammad Muddasar was moving the bridge back when it collapsed. He suffered injuries from the broken glass.

The airline proceeded safely towards its destination, airport officials said, adding that they were investigating what had caused the accident.

The newly constructed airport was inaugurated less than six months ago in May after going through its share of hiccups.

Earlier this month, the manager of the new Islamabad International Airport was suspended following media reports about stray dogs wandering in the facility’s lounge.

The CAA chief took strict notice of the situation and also issued orders for an inquiry into the matter, he added.

Experts, however, believe that the entry of stray dogs inside the airport’s premises is a breach of security and not a management-related issue.

The episode, they said, raises serious questions over multiple layers of security including the deployment of Airports Security Force, Rangers and the police personnel at the newly-inaugurated facility.

Published in Daily Times, October 10^th 2018.