An IndiGo Airlines flight en route from New Delhi to Jeddah made an emergency landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport late Friday night after a passenger fell seriously ill while the aircraft was in Pakistani airspace. The flight, an Airbus A321-271NX operating as flight 6E63, landed safely at 10:54pm, according to a statement from the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA).
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A 55-year-old male passenger onboard reportedly experienced severe medical distress during the flight. Despite receiving oxygen from the cabin crew, his condition deteriorated, prompting the pilot to request an emergency landing at Karachi. Acting swiftly on humanitarian grounds, Karachi Air Traffic Control granted clearance for the landing.
Medical Assistance and Stabilization
Upon arrival, a medical team from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) boarded the aircraft and provided immediate treatment to the ailing passenger. The individual, identified as an Indian Muslim national, was stabilised with medication before being declared fit to fly by the attending doctor. The flight eventually resumed its journey at around 2am, departing for Jeddah.
Pakistan Airport Authority’s Role
The Pakistan Airport Authority, a recently established entity functioning under the Ministry of Aviation, played a pivotal role in managing the emergency situation. The PAA, created on August 9, 2024, is tasked with the commercial and operational management of airports, while the PCAA oversees regulatory aspects.
Recurring Emergency Landings at Karachi
This is not the first instance of Indian airliners diverting to Karachi for emergencies. Karachi’s strategic location and Pakistan’s critical air transit corridor often facilitate such landings.
In July 2022, two Indian flights made emergency landings at Karachi. On July 5, a SpiceJet aircraft flying from Delhi to Dubai diverted to Karachi due to an indicator light malfunction. Passengers were initially kept onboard but later disembarked safely. Days later, an IndiGo flight traveling from Sharjah to Hyderabad also landed in Karachi following a technical defect.
In another instance in September 2024, a Fly Jinnah plane heading from Karachi to Lahore made an emergency landing at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport after smoke filled its cargo compartment.
Other Recent Airspace Incidents
Karachi’s air traffic control has also been involved in managing security-related situations. In October 2024, an Air India flight AI147, traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, reported a bomb threat while in Pakistani airspace. Although the aircraft was not diverted, Pakistani authorities closely monitored the situation, ensuring its safe passage through their airspace.
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Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport has proven to be a vital transit point in emergencies, highlighting the importance of cross-border cooperation in aviation. While political tensions often define Indo-Pak relations, incidents like these highlight the operational collaboration between the two nations in handling unforeseen challenges.