KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Flight PK-859, which made a precautionary landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport earlier today, was grounded due to cracks in the aircraft’s windshield caused by pressure, and not a bird strike, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed.
The incident occurred at 34,000 feet while the flight was en route from Lahore to Jeddah. PAA officials clarified that the aircraft’s technical logbook recorded no bird strike during the journey. The precautionary landing ensured passenger safety, and at no point was the situation classified as an emergency.
Repairs to the windshield are expected to take approximately 12 hours, after which the flight will resume operations.
Sources reported that 344 passengers were on board the aircraft. All passengers have been safely transferred to a nearby hotel, where arrangements are being made for their stay until the aircraft is cleared for departure.
PIA has assured the public that the airline is taking all necessary safety measures and that the incident was handled efficiently, preventing any risk to passengers or crew.
This precautionary measure highlights the airline’s commitment to safety protocols, ensuring that technical faults are addressed promptly to avoid any potential hazards during flight.
