Lahore airport runways to be closed for 3 hours daily from July 5-Sept 15 due to risk of increased bird activity

LAHORE: Both runways of Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport will remain closed for three hours daily for 70 days, from July 5 to September 15, for commercial flights during the upcoming monsoon season, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Wednesday, citing precautionary measures owing to increased risk of bird activity.

“During the monsoon season, bird activity in and around the airport, particularly below 3,000 feet, increases significantly. Accordingly, pilots have been advised to exercise heightened caution during the aircraft’s approach and departure,” the authority said.

It added that airlines had also been advised to carry adequate fuel for any anticipated ground or airborne holding.

“As part of these precautionary safety measures, both runways [of the Lahore airport] will remain unavailable daily from 5am to 8am, from 5 July to 15 September 2026, when bird activity is at its peak. Scheduled commercial flights will continue to operate outside these hours,“ the PAA said, adding that in case of an emergency, the runway would be made available for landing.

A Notice to Airmen (Notam) has also been issued in this regard.

The PAA assured it would maintain the “highest standards of aviation safety while minimising inconvenience to passengers and airline operators”.

A fresh monsoon spell is slated to begin in the country from the first week of July. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rain has been predicted in Lahore from July 1 to July 6.