More than 25 non-operational aircraft belonging to various airlines remain parked at the scrap yard of Jinnah International Airport, raising concerns over safety, security and airport operations, officials said.
Airport sources said several of the grounded planes have been stationary for years, with reports of birds nesting inside the planes and the presence of rats and other animals in the area. Officials warned that the situation poses risks to both the security and operational environment of the airport.
According to sources, about 20 of the grounded planes belong to Shaheen Air and have remained at the airport due to unresolved legal issues, preventing their removal.
In addition, seven non-operational aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are also parked at the scrapyard, where authorities are considering options for their disposal.
Read: Karachi Airport’s ‘plane graveyard’ attracts birds
Sources added that planes belonging to Air Indus along with other foreign cargo and passenger planes have also been parked at the airport for several years.
Officials say the presence of old and grounded aircraft contributes to environmental problems and creates potential risks to airport operations. The airport authority has started reviewing possible measures to remove the grounded aircraft and clear the scrap yard to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the airport premises.
Plans are being drawn up to fully clear the scrapyard in the next phase by removing all non-operational aircraft, according to airport sources.
This had also been reported last year, in August 2024.
According to sources, Karachi Airport’s runway and tarmac area became a dumping ground for more than 30 defunct aircraft of various airlines over the years.
The situation began to raise concern as more birds took up residence in these abandoned aircraft, creating the risk of dangerous incidents. Despite years of neglect, no decision had been made to remove these aircraft from sensitive areas.
