A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft was forced to make an urgent landing in Saudi Arabia after pilots received a technical warning mid-air, an incident that led to the automatic deployment of oxygen masks and caused significant alarm among hundreds of passengers.
Flight Diverted Due to Technical Alert
The aircraft, operating as flight PK-860 from Jeddah to Lahore, was scheduled to arrive at its destination at 8 pm. However, during the journey, the cockpit crew received a technical alert. In response to this situation, the pilot decided to divert the plane to the nearest suitable airport. The flight was safely redirected to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Passenger Safety and Emergency Protocols
Officials confirmed that the Airbus was carrying a total of 381 passengers on board, which included dozens of Umrah pilgrims returning home. As part of the standard safety procedure during the emergency landing sequence, the oxygen masks automatically dropped from the compartments above the seats. This action, while precautionary, understandably caused panic within the cabin.
The pilot executed a successful emergency landing at Dammam airport, where full emergency protocols were immediately activated by ground crews. All passengers were safely disembarked from the aircraft shortly after it came to a halt on the tarmac. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Alternate Arrangements and a Recent Similar Incident
Following the emergency landing, PIA management swiftly worked to minimize disruption for the stranded travelers. The airline dispatched an alternative aircraft from Pakistan to Dammam specifically to transport the passengers onward to their original destination, Lahore. A spokesperson stated that arrangements were being prioritized to ensure the travelers reached home at the earliest possible time.
This event marks the second such incident for PIA in recent months. In November, another flight, PK-859 traveling from Lahore to Jeddah, had to be diverted mid-flight. That aircraft landed at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport after the windshield in the cockpit's first officer section cracked. That situation also led to passenger anxiety, and the airline had to arrange for a windshield replacement before the journey could continue.
