R A W A L P I N D I : Passengers on Pakistan InternationalAirlines(PIA) flight PK-234 from Dubai had to walk to the Islamabad International Airport`s (IIA) international arrivals loungeon Sundaydue to the lack of an available airport apron bus.

Airport shuttles are typically used to move passengers between terminals and to and from aircraft parked in the bays, as jet bridges have also been installed at the new airport.

But sources said passengers on PK-234 had to wait in their seats for nearly half an hour after landing for an airport shuttle that would take them to the international arrivals lounge.

The flight landed at9:40a.m.andwasparkedin Bay12.Passengersremained in the aircraft for more than 25 minutes, af ter an already delayed start to their journey in Dubai, as they waited for an airport shuttle.

When they saw that there was no bus available, the passengers made their way to international arrivals on foot, carrying their hand luggage and in some cases, children.

Upon reaching international arrivals, the passengers protested against PIA management for failing to provide them with a bus.

PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar told Dawn that PK-234 had not parked at a jet bridge because the plane had to fly to Karachi.

He said the issue arose because of typically heavy domestic and international flight scheduleson Sunday.

Mr Tajwar said one bus was sent to the plane to transport some passengers from the plane to the lounge, but others faced problems because of the unavailability of a bus driver, who was to finish his duty at10a.m.

He said some of the passengers who could not be transported by bus expressed resentment when they reached the lounge. Staff Reporter