The flight landed safely, but not before sending passengers into a panic and prompting many to make final intercessory prayers. But Pakistan Airlines contends there was no A320 emergency landing.
Pakistan International Airlines A320 Makes Emergency Landing
PK8726, operated by an Airbus A320 (AP-BLV), was traveling from Riyadh (RUH) to Multan (MUX) on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 when it developed an unspecified problem. The flight made an unscheduled landing in Karachi (KHI).
But there’s more to the story. In-flight, the A320 began making a strange noise that terrified passengers. The unexplained destination change to Karachi also did not help to assuage fears.
Anxious passengers recited verses from the Quran and prayed as the plane rattled to the ground. It was only after landing in Karachi that passengers were informed of that the aircraft encountered “issues” that prompted the diversion.
AirLive reports the issue was an aircraft door which would not close properly, which would help to explain some of the odd noises passengers encountered.
Passengers were offered transport on another PIA aircraft to Multan. Some allegedly declined, choosing to brave treacherous road conditions instead to reach the capital of the Multan Division in the Punjab region.
Meanwhile, PIA has downplayed the incident and disputed reports that it was an emergency landing. Instead, the diversion is being characterized as precautionary.
CONCLUSION
Pakistan International Airlines has a checkered past when it comes to safety and the latest incident, even if non-life-threatening, does not lend comfort to stepping onto another PIA flight (though I would…). With its reputation under scrutiny, PIA must take concrete steps to bolster its actual safety and image of safety.
image: Shadman Samee / Wikimedia Commons
“PK8726, operated by an Airbus A320 (AP-BLV), was traveling from Riyadh (RUH) to Multan (MUX) on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 when it developed an unspecified.”
An unspecified what? Your adjective needs a noun, or the blog needs a proofreader.
@gwayrav. This is a blog, not an English thesis. Give Matthew a break. He is running two businesses, has not traveled in ages and is not sleeping due a very cute new baby.
Thanks Mike.
I forgot the part where you are also corralling a toddler….
Rife with inaccuracies and bias. The door story is an unconfirmed rumor. Planes around the world routinely land to ensure the safety of passengers as a precautionary measure. Multan is not the capital of Punjab. A modern motorway network connects the cities, superior to anything found in the region and the roads are not treacherous. Typical white uninformed bias.
Faraz,
Check your prejudice at the door, please.
First, I did not conclude the problem was with the door, just provided a local source that claimed it was. And that makes sense, of course, considering the noise issue. Would you rather have it been an engine issue?
Second, I’ve flown PIA and travel over 200,000 miles per year…PIA’s safety record is not a matter of opinion.
Third, you are saying that Multan is not in the Punjab region? Really?
Fourth, the N5/M5 are treacherous. Have you ever driven on them? I’m not talking about being abducted or killed. But this is one of the busiest roads in Pakistan and driving conditions can be dangerous with heavy traffic and drivers who ignore road rules.
Faraz!
I am sorry to reply you as I have been flying domestically via PIA & also drives from Karachi to Islamabad once in a year. It is regretted to share that my experience favours the observations of Mathew & why would he be biased with PIA or our motorways. Let ask you one thing, have you travelled on the newly constructed Karachi Hyderabad motorway, do you really think it in any way be called motorway! Travelling from Karachi upto Sukkur is really a tough task, no fencing, no rest motorway areas. Even the newly opened Sukkur Multan motorway has no gas stations. It is my humble advice to you that we should take observations from independent observers like Mathew seriously to make our house in order.
Wow Mike, are you Mathews’ wife? U sure sounded like one
He’s just being kind.
This is the beginning of the end for PIA Wich I’ve always flown with
Not because of the service and the condition of the seats toilets and entertainment and food
But one thing only it was a direct flight from UK to Islamabad no other Airline was available for direct flight
But no more am prepared to put up with the extra 4/5 hours rather than risk my life
I have no comment.
Pray in Advance (PIA)
You edited your article and then disputed what I wrote. Credibility = Zero
Sorry Faraz, that is incorrect. Would you like to respond to each of my points or not?
PIA is good as our Leadership (Robbers) everyone who get chance to serve only do one how rob more in a short time and run away, grabbing USA UK or Eu Passports, We have fix every single [redacted by admin] either civilian or Defence, only way to survive,
Mathew!
Can we have your views on Emirates airlines in general and particularly their flights form & to Pakistan. Specifically, why Emirates doesn’t operate A380 from & to Pakistan? Your valuable views are requested because I prefer to fly with Emirates.
Hi Junaid, I think Emirates uses the 777 instead of A380 so it can more easily offer two frequencies per day to Karachi and Islamabad.
Off course dear, but I was thinking of the comfort, privacy and luxury offered in A380 business class is unmatched to 777. I was wondering, why it is not operated from & to Karachi Pakistan. Anyway, being a frequent flyer, which airline business class will you prefer for travelling from Karachi to Europe!
I love the service and food on PIA, but I’d take Qatar Airways.
Emirates or Qatar?
That’s because A380 requires a bigger runway and multiple pathways to the concourse. Only a certain number of airports around the world are equipped to manage A380s, no Pakistani airport can have an A380 land there. Here’s the list of A380 airports:
https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/where-the-airbus-a380-will-fly-next-59245
This is the duty of engineering department to check properly before takup,government should not play with human life,
This is request to Pakistan government to allow emrites airlines to operate from Dubai,
Thanks and regards
Hi All as I’m a pakistani too but I’m not satisfied with pia coz it’s not safe so I request to the concern to work on it and make it more safe and smooth either has to be replaced the aircraft to safe the life of valuable passengers.
Another a320 scare ?
Sounds like you want to blame the aircraft
Don’t you guys worry about PIA. It definetely get back on its feet. Things take time to run in legit way. It is never to far once we implant a solid system to PIA with proper management.
I travel in Pakistan
PIA needs definite definite improvement… Otherwise more precious lives are at stake!
What about the incident a few days back when the bolts from the landing gear of a PIA aircraft at Gilgit were found missing and the aircraft was refused to takeoff.
So sad one of best airline in 90 become worse due to involvement of political recruitment. And bad thing for domestic flights passenger does not have much choices but to travel PIA and rails travel also made terrible by this naya Pakistan now where people go only travel by road is option.
Very funny, how did you know about this because you never travelled in Pakistan and how did you know about this incident
Our pakistani flight are good it maybe a minior problem so pray for Pakistan. Long live pakistan
May Allah save us
PIA now is the most worst airline ever as there is no safety and many pilots are still holding fake degrees and is corrupted airline unless there’s private company to take over
An accident like the one where the plane crashed does not just happen. There are chain of inadequacies and shortcomings that eventually terminate into an accident.
PIA needs to work from the very top to the very bottom to overhaul the organization, safety, HR, Training, culture of the organization etc. hence everything. Unless this happens, PIA performance and its safety will always be dodgy.
Just lip service that safety is our top priority while doing no changes in the organization will not help
It seems I am watching talk shows in Pakistani Media .Everyone is talking without knowledge and information….
I believe anything Made in Pakistan, or done in Pakistan is pathetic. I hope these actors are given a good bashing from the PM, we are living with so many risk factors in this country
Door, noise… hmm safety strap left outside? Just a guess.
I live in the Kingdom and prefer to fly with PIA. I found the best pilots in the world belong to PIA. However, the internal policies and politics has ruined the airlines.
There was a time that the airlines was amongst one of the best airlines in the world. Hoping that the glorious days may return soon.