Did passengers stage sit-in on Islamabad airport runway after flight delays?

ISLAMABAD – Passengers of a private airline flight heading to Saudi Arabia staged a sit-in on the runway at New Islamabad International Airport after facing prolonged delays and technical issues with the aircraft, according to reports circulating on social media. Reports claimed that flight PA-2766, scheduled to depart for Madinah, was delayed multiple times after passengers had already boarded the aircraft due to a reported technical problem. Passengers said they had arrived at the airport several hours before the scheduled departure time, but the flight continued to face delays. They claimed that after waiting for hours, the aircraft eventually took off late at night, but another technical issue developed shortly after departure, forcing the plane to return and land back at Islamabad Airport. After the aircraft returned and passengers were disembarked, frustrated travellers gathered near the runway area and launched a protest. The protesters included elderly passengers, women, children and working individuals. اسلام اباد انٹرنیشنل ایئرپورٹ کی تاریخ میں پہلی بار رن وے پر مسافروں کا دھرنا۔۔ اسلام اباد انٹرنیشنل ایئرپورٹ کے رن وے پر 200 سے زائد مسافروں نے دھرنا دے دیا اسلام اباد انٹرنیشنل ایئرپورٹ کے رن وے پر 200 افراد نجی ایئر لائن کی انتظامیہ کے خلاف احتجاج کر رہے ہیں۔۔ pic.twitter.com/eNwohyoeHR — Ahmed Bhatti (@Rayahmadbhatti) June 23, 2026 Passengers said the delay caused serious difficulties, as some had limited leave from work while others needed to return to their jobs urgently. Initially, airline staff and local authorities attempted to convince passengers to end the protest, but they continued to demand a solution. Later, senior officials from the airline arrived at the airport and held talks with the passengers. The airline management assured passengers that they would be sent to Saudi Arabia on priority the following morning at 10am. Following the assurance, passengers ended their protest. However, the Pakistan Airports Authority has rejected the reports