K2 Airways, a private cargo airline based in Karachi, reported on Wednesday that it is fully cooperating with aviation authorities and government agencies after one of its Boeing 737-400 freighter aircraft disappeared over the Arabian Sea. The plane was en route from Sharjah, UAE, to Karachi, Pakistan, with five crew members on board when it vanished late Tuesday.
Aircraft Disappearance and Immediate Response
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) stated that the cargo flight reported a navigation system issue at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan time and was promptly guided by the Karachi Area Control Center. However, at 9:21 p.m., the aircraft was observed on radar rapidly descending and making a sharp change in heading before radar and radio contact were lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Following the loss of contact, a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched at sea through multiple agencies. The search includes the Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar, Pakistan Air Force assets, a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft operating from Turbat, and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation merchant vessel Lahore.
Airline Statement and Cooperation
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, K2 Airways said: “K2 Airways is fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies.” The airline added, “We continue to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues.”
K2 Airways is a Karachi-based private cargo airline that operates domestic and international freight services. The missing aircraft is a Boeing 737-400 freighter, a common cargo variant of the popular narrow-body airliner.
Search Operation Details
According to official sources, the search operation is multi-agency and involves naval, air, and maritime resources. The Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar is leading the sea search, while the Pakistan Air Force is providing aerial surveillance. The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation has also diverted a merchant vessel, Lahore, to assist in the search.
The cause of the aircraft’s disappearance is not immediately known, and authorities have not announced any breakthrough in the search as of the time of publication. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) is coordinating the overall response.
Background on K2 Airways
K2 Airways is a relatively small cargo carrier that operates domestic and international freight services from its base at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The airline has not previously reported any major incidents. The disappearance of the Boeing 737-400 freighter marks a significant event for the airline and the Pakistani aviation sector.
