Plane makes emergency landing

KARACHI:

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Lahore to Jeddah was forced to make an emergency landing at Karachi Airport early Thursday morning after the aircraft's windshield cracked midair.

The pilot decided to divert the flight to Jinnah International Terminal following the incident. While the cause of the cracked windscreen remained uncertain, the PIA management attributed it to a bird strike, a claim later denied by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).

Meanwhile, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP) blamed the incident on the airline's negligence in timely replacement of aircraft components.

According to sources, PIA flight PK-859 from Lahore to Jeddah encountered unusual circumstances mid-flight, prompting the captain to divert and safely land the plane in Karachi.

The unexpected situation caused panic among passengers. The pilot contacted Karachi Air Traffic Control and sought permission for an emergency landing.

PIA officials said the first officer's side windshield cracked due to an alleged bird strike, leading to the diversion. The airline added that the windshield would be replaced, and passengers would be flown to Jeddah on the same or an alternative aircraft.