“Full-scale Emergency Drill at Islamabad Airport 🇵🇰” “Army Helicopter, Rescue 1122 & Hospitals in Action — Pakistan Prepared!"

Islamabad Airport Successfully Conducts Full-Scale Emergency Exercise Islamabad, October 31, 2025 — Islamabad International Airport successfully carried out a large-scale emergency exercise on Thursday to evaluate its readiness, coordination, and response capabilities in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The Pakistan Airports Authority organized the drill to simulate a major aircraft accident involving an Airbus A320, followed by a mock aviation-fuel fire. The realistic scenario aimed to test how effectively multiple agencies could communicate, make decisions, and execute emergency response operations under pressure. The Rescue and Firefighting Services demonstrated outstanding performance by responding within the ICAO’s prescribed time limits, swiftly controlling the fire, and initiating rescue and medical evacuation operations. A major highlight of the exercise was the participation of the Pakistan Army Aviation’s MI-17 helicopter, which conducted an aeromedical evacuation of a critically injured dummy patient to a nearby healthcare facility — showcasing effective air-to-ground coordination. The drill was conducted under the supervision of Syed Aftab Ali Shah Gilani, Chief Operating Officer/APM, with CFRO Muhammad Tariq serving as the Exercise Coordinator. Both officials praised the smooth execution of the event, emphasizing that the success of AIRCON-25 reflects Islamabad Airport’s high level of preparedness and compliance with international aviation safety standards. Professor Muhammad Umar (SI, HI), Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, attended as the chief guest and lauded the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication shown by all participating organizations. He noted that such joint efforts greatly strengthen the country’s capacity to handle aviation emergencies and safeguard human lives. The exercise brought together several key organizations, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Airport Security Force (ASF), Army Aviation, Rescue 1122, Edhi Foundation, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Cantonment General Hospital, Ground Handling Agencies, Airlines Operating Committee, and the Disaster Management Authority, along with other relevant government departments.