On July 7, 2025, a passenger flew from Lahore to Karachi accidentally got on board an international flight to Jeddah by AirSial. The passenger Shahzain Ahmed served a legal notice to the airline against the Sindh Consumer Protection Act 2014.
It happened at Lahore Airport when two airsial flights parked at the same gate, one domestic to Karachi and the other international to Jeddah. Shahzain flew, without the mandatory passport or visa, on the wrong airplane as a result of administrative misunderstanding. The mistake was identified after two hours into the air.
On landing in Jeddah, the passenger was arrested and interrogated by the Saudi immigration officials. He was eventually taken back to Lahore where he bought his ticket by himself to Karachi. The airline did not offer any services and his baggage had to be sent separately.
A court notice from the passenger was filed by Advocate Muhammad Nawaz Dahri based on arguably contravening the Sindh Consumer Protection Act 2014, Pakistan Civil Aviation Rules 1994, Immigration Ordinance 1979 and the Montreal Convention. The notice demanded complete refund of the travelling cost and a reply in writing after two days.
Pakistan Airports Authority has recommended regulatory action against the airline. The Civil Aviation Authority has been notified, and an internal investigation is ongoing.
