ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines has strongly denied circulating reports that one of its flights narrowly escaped a missile strike near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates describing all such claims as entirely baseless and false.
The clarification issued on Thursday through the airline’s official handle on platform X directly addressed viral posts alleging danger to a PIA aircraft during landing at Fujairah airport due to nearby Iranian missile activity.
PIA emphasised that no official statement supporting the incident was ever released by the airline or its spokesperson urging citizens to refrain from spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm.
This denial comes hours after the national flag carrier had already suspended all operations to Fujairah for a full 48 hours citing the prevailing security situation in the Middle East region.
On Wednesday morning PIA restricted its UAE services solely to Al Ain airport temporarily diverting passengers and adjusting schedules to prioritise safety without any reported disruption to core routes.
Social media platforms saw rapid circulation of unconfirmed videos and eyewitness accounts claiming a specific flight PK-175 carrying 123 passengers and eight crew members encountered smoke and panic near naval facilities adjacent to the airport.
These posts suggested the aircraft landed safely at 6am local time yet generated widespread concern among Pakistani expatriates and frequent travellers to the Gulf.
Fujairah International Airport a relatively compact facility on the eastern coast of the UAE handles daily connections including IndiGo services to Mumbai and Kannur while serving as a secondary hub for regional traffic.
The port city itself ranks among the world’s key bunkering and oil export terminals shipping an average of 1.7 million barrels per day of crude and refined fuels last year representing roughly 1.7 percent of global daily demand according to industry tracking data.
Recent escalations trace back to February 28 when coordinated strikes initiated broader conflict prompting Iran to launch 314 ballistic missiles 1672 drones and 15 cruise missiles across Gulf targets by mid-March according to UAE ministry tallies.
Fujairah port specifically witnessed a direct attack on March 14 igniting fires and halting ADNOC loading operations while a Kuwait-flagged tanker was targeted 23 nautical miles east of the coast as monitored by United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
PIA’s precautionary suspension aligns with similar moves by other carriers such as India’s IndiGo which halted services to multiple Gulf points including Fujairah Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah until March 28.
Pakistan’s major airports recorded at least 92 inbound and outbound flight cancellations in recent days directly linked to airspace volatility and passenger rerouting demands.
The national airline maintains a fleet of approximately 32 aircraft comprising Boeing 777 variants Airbus A320 family and ATR turboprops operating nearly 50 daily flights across 20 domestic and 28 international destinations.
UAE remains a critical corridor for PIA carrying thousands of Pakistani workers and business travellers monthly with historical ties dating to PIA’s technical assistance in establishing Emirates airline in 1985.
Despite the current denial aviation experts note that regional tensions have already forced temporary UAE airspace closures earlier in the month later lifted following coordination with international partners.
PIA has consistently positioned passenger safety as paramount implementing enhanced monitoring protocols and real-time coordination with civil aviation authorities in both Pakistan and the UAE.
The episode underscores the speed at which misinformation travels in digital spaces particularly during periods of geopolitical uncertainty affecting millions of overseas Pakistanis.
Remittances from the UAE constitute a significant portion of Pakistan’s foreign exchange inflows while bilateral trade volumes exceed several billion dollars annually in sectors ranging from energy to construction.
Observers highlight that such incidents even when disproven can impact traveller confidence and booking patterns prompting airlines to invest heavily in transparent communication channels.
PIA’s swift response through social media reflects evolving strategies to counter fake narratives and maintain operational credibility during volatile times.
Broader Middle East developments continue to influence global energy prices and air travel reliability with analysts projecting sustained caution among carriers serving Gulf routes through the coming weeks.
The airline has reaffirmed commitment to resume normal Fujairah services once security assessments confirm stability while advising passengers to check official updates before travel.
This measured approach has helped contain panic and reinforced PIA’s role as a responsible national carrier navigating complex international challenges.
Public appeals from aviation regulators in Pakistan and the UAE echo the call for reliance on verified sources to prevent unnecessary distress among families and communities connected across borders.
Ongoing diplomatic engagements aim to de-escalate flashpoints ensuring safe passage for civilian aviation amid the wider security landscape.