ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines said it was working to help passengers facing delays in flights from Jeddah after the airport shifted all international flights to the North Terminal to cope with a ‘massive rush’ of air travelers.

In a press release Tuesday, PIA said that all airline flights departing from Jeddah were facing extended delays.

Spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said passengers at the airport were facing difficulties at check-in as there were only four boarding gates at the North Terminal which were not enough to handle the high number of travelers. So, he said, the delay was expected in tonight’s (Tuesday) flights.

Accordingly, the spokesman said the PIA administration had issued instructions to provide all possible facilities to its passengers, while the national flag carrier’s officials in Jeddah were constantly in contact with the Saudi authorities.

He said PIA’s local teams in collaboration with the airport authorities were making arrangements to reduce delay time in the flights’ departure. “The PIA’s CEO himself is monitoring the situation.”

The spokesman said Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique was also reviewing the situation in real time so that the suffering of Pakistani passengers could be minimized.

He said the PIA management extended an apology to passengers in advance and hoped the passengers would understand the situation and cooperate with the national flag carrier.