More than 25 non-operational aircraft belonging to various airlines remain parked at Jinnah International Airport’s scrapyard, raising concerns over the airport’s security and operations, officials said.
Airport sources said several of the grounded planes have been parked 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 security and the operating environment at the airport.
According to sources, around 20 of the grounded planes belong to Shaheen Air and have remained at the airport due to unresolved legal issues, which has prevented their removal.
In addition, seven non-operational Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft are also parked at the scrapyard, and authorities are considering options for their disposal.
Read: Karachi airport’s ‘plane graveyard’ attracts birds
Sources added that Air Indus planes, along with other foreign cargo and passenger planes, have also been parked at the airport for several years.
Officials say the presence of older, grounded planes is contributing to environmental concerns, creating potential risks to airport operations. The airport authority has begun reviewing possible measures to remove grounded aircraft and clean up the scrapyard to ensure the safety and cleanliness of airport facilities.
According to airport sources, plans are being prepared to completely clear the scrapyard in the next phase by removing all non-operational aircraft.
This was also reported last year, in August 2024.
According to sources, the runway and tarmac area of Karachi airport over the years became a dumping ground for more than 30 missing planes of various airlines.
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 negligence, no decision had been made to remove these aircraft from sensitive areas.
