A private airliner passenger flight narrowly escaped a catastrophic situation in Pakistan as its pilot quickly decided to take off soon after a turbulent approach and touchdown on a storm-hit airport runway in Lahore on Saturday.
The pilot of Karachi-originated flight FL-842 had a split-second choice, carry on with the turbulent landing against howling winds or take off again for safety.
The pilot, in consultation with air traffic control, chose the latter and flew passengers all the way back to the country’s southern port city Karachi.
The severe rain and thunderstorm hit major cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The storm killed 19 people, blowing apart vulnerable structures and trees and damaging buildings in its volatile path.
Authorities advised people to stay out of the storm path as thick dark clouds and winds disrupted weekend travel and activities.
Among the passengers was former federal minister in imprisoned prime minister Imran Khan’s government Asad Umar.
He described the situation as the most terrifying moments of his life as passengers screamed and prayed for safe landing.
“It was very scary, passengers felt it was going to be the end. We were reciting verses and praying for safety of all fellow passengers during those horrifying moments,” he told Views News Now.
Besides, departure of two other Karachi-bound flights from Lahore was delayed as storm raged across the most populous province, which was also the scene of battles between Pakistani and Indian armies.
As weather improved, flights in and out of the Allama Iqbal Airport returned to their normal schedule.
Before the storm hit Pakistan, Indian media reported that Pakistan refused to allow a storm-struck flight an emergency landing on its territory.
The flight from New Delhi to Indian-controlled Kashmir suffered a slight damage and ultimately landed in Srinagar Wednesday evening.
Both countries closed off their airspace to each other amid heavy shelling and aerial dogfights.
