PIA dismisses claims of flight escaping missile attack near UAE's Fujairah as 'baseless'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday rejected reports that one of its flights had narrowly escaped a missile attack near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling the claims "entirely baseless and false".

Multiple media reports had alleged that a PIA flight on Tuesday came close to being struck by a missile while landing at Fujairah airport. The national flag carrier took to the social media platform X to issue a categorical denial of the reports.

"PIA clarifies that the news circulating regarding a missile attack near Fujairah involving a PIA flight is entirely baseless and false," the airline stated.

The airline further stressed that no such statement had been released by PIA or its official spokesperson, urging the public and media to exercise caution before sharing unverified information.

"No such statement was issued by the airline and its spokesperson. We urge all to refrain from sharing unverified information," the airline added.

PIA suspends Fujairah flights amid security concerns

It is worth noting that on Wednesday morning — a day before issuing the denial — PIA had suspended its flights to Fujairah for a 48-hour period, citing the prevailing "security situation" amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to a statement from the carrier's spokesperson, PIA flights to the UAE would, for the time being, only be operated to Al Ain, with Fujairah temporarily removed from the airline's active route schedule.

The suspension of flights to Fujairah, while coinciding with the circulation of the missile attack claims, was attributed by the airline solely to the broader security environment in the region rather than any specific incident involving a PIA aircraft.

The denial from PIA comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have prompted airlines across the region to review their operations and flight routes to ensure passenger safety. The airline's decision to continue operating flights to Al Ain while pausing Fujairah services suggests a targeted reassessment of risk based on the proximity of certain airports to areas of concern.

PIA's clarification appears aimed at quelling what it described as misinformation that had gained traction across social media and certain media outlets, with the airline making it clear that neither its management nor its official communications channels had at any point confirmed or acknowledged the alleged missile incident.