A major tragedy was averted on Friday night when a Serene Air flight carrying more than 200 passengers from Jeddah to Lahore was forced to make an emergency landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. A large number of the passengers were returning home after performing Umrah.
According to aviation officials, the aircraft developed a technical fault midair, prompting the captain to contact Karachi Air Traffic Control and request emergency clearance. Permission was granted, and the flight landed safely without any injuries reported.
Initial inspections revealed a fuel leakage, after which the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) initiated an inquiry into the incident. Engineers of the private airline have also begun repair work to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness before it resumes operations.
Passengers described moments of anxiety on board when the pilot announced the emergency landing, but relief spread quickly once the plane touched down safely in Karachi.
This is not the first time such an incident has raised concerns over flight safety. Just a few months ago, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi to Lahore carrying over 120 passengers narrowly escaped disaster when a bird strike was detected during landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport. Aviation experts say both cases highlight the urgent need for stricter safety checks and preventive measures to avoid potential accidents in Pakistan’s skies.
