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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 plane’s windshield shattered mid-air.
The pilot decided to divert the flight to Jinnah International Terminal after the incident. While the cause of the broken windshield remained uncertain, PIA management attributed it to a bird strike, a claim later denied by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
Meanwhile, the Society of Aeronautical Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP) attributed the incident to the airline’s negligence in timely replacement of the plane’s 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 the passengers. The pilot contacted Karachi Air Traffic Control and requested permission for an emergency landing.
PIA officials said the first officer’s side windshield was broken due to an alleged bird strike, leading to the diversion. The airline added that the windshield would be replaced and passengers would be transferred to Jeddah on the same or an alternative plane.
