On Thursday, as reported by ARY News, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK-248, traveling from Dammam to Lahore was forced to divert its route via Indian airspace due to severe rainfall in Lahore, leading to an emergency situation.
The weather conditions prevented the aircraft from landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, and the pilot had to change the course towards Multan. Informed of the emergency situation, the Indian civil aviation authority granted permission for the PIA aircraft to use their airspace.
While diverting to Multan, the aircraft was instructed to fly over the Indian city of Firozpur. Notably, India and Pakistan have had a strained relationship for decades, often resulting in airspace closure to each other’s flights.
Despite the tension, the Indian aviation authority allowed the PIA aircraft to utilize their airspace in this critical situation, and it safely landed at Multan airport.