Jeddah-bound PIA flight makes emergency landing at Karachi airport

The flight was carrying 300 passengers on board who remained unhurt

KARACHI: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight carrying 300 passengers made an emergency landing at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Tuesday.

However, all passengers remained unhurt.

The Peshawar to Jeddah-bound flight, PK-735, was forced to land after a bird collided with the aircraft, according to the national flag carrier's spokesperson.

"After mechanical work was completed the flight headed out for its destination," Mashood Tajwar said.



The passengers were shifted to the airport's lounge during the forced stop over, he added.

On January 13, a plane carrying Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had skidded off the runway at the Benazir International Airport in Islamabad.

Bilawal, as well as, all other passengers and crew on board the flight, however, remained unhurt in the incident.



The runway at the old Islamabad airport was temporarily shut for all flights after a similar incident a day before, sources said, adding that the plane carrying Bilawal was taken to apron using heavy machinery.

The front tyre of the aircraft skidded during the landing due to failure of its hydraulic break, they said.