According to Privatization Commission officials, PIA now has positive equity of Rs 30 billion, 18% sales tax on aircraft leasing has been removed and international routes have also been permitted. Photo: file
A Pakistan International Airlines flight en route from Jeddah to Lahore made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after receiving an in-flight technical alert, triggering the deployment of oxygen masks and causing panic among passengers, including dozens of Umrah pilgrims.
According to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson, flight PK-860 was scheduled to land at Lahore Airport at 8 p.m., but it was diverted to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam due to a technical problem. Authorities say the plane was carrying 381 passengers.
The pilot successfully made an emergency landing at Dammam Airport, where emergency protocols were activated. Upon landing, oxygen masks were automatically deployed inside the cabin and all passengers were safely disembarked shortly thereafter.
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The PIA management arranged an alternative plane, which was sent from Pakistan to transport the stranded passengers to Lahore. The airline said arrangements were being made to ensure passengers reach their destinations as soon as possible.
In a similar case in November, PIA flight PK-859 from Lahore to Jeddah was forced to divert mid-flight and land at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport because the co-pilot’s windshield cracked. The incident caused panic among passengers, and PIA officials said the windshield would be replaced before the passengers continued their journey to Jeddah on the same or another plane.
