Dubai Police detained seven passengers after a disturbance broke out on board Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-212, further delaying the Dubai to Islamabad service that had already been held up by operational restrictions at Dubai airport.
According to sources, Dubai airport authorities imposed a 10-minute gap between the departure of all flights the previous night due to the security situation in the region. As a result, PK-212 remained on the tarmac for nearly three and a half hours despite being ready for departure.
Passengers were served meals on board during the extended wait. A group of passengers subsequently created disorder, attempted to force their way into the cockpit, and one passenger broke a window pane on the aircraft.
Cabin crew brought the situation under control and called in Dubai security officials, who opened the aircraft door and arrested the seven passengers involved in the disturbance.
Authorities said the aircraft was grounded following the incident. Remaining passengers and crew were moved to a hotel, as the flight crew duty hours had lapsed due to the delay.
Following an assessment of the damage and a required technical inspection, the flight is expected to depart from Dubai for Islamabad or Karachi later this evening.
