Storm in Punjab forces flight to enter Indian airspace

KARACHI: More than a dozen flights overflying Pakistan during severe weather and storm in Punjab faced difficulties early Thursday.

A foreign airline flight from Islamabad to Dubai entered the Indian airspace due to storm. It returned to Pakistani airspace after 12 minutes. According to Aviation sources, Emirates Airlines flight EK 715 from Islamabad to Dubai departed at 4am. The flight deviated from the route due to storm and heavy rain. It entered the Indian airspace near Narowal at 4:25am.

The Boeing 777 aircraft circled Amritsar and returned to Pakistani airspace near Kasur at 4:36am. The flight later reached its destination. Most of the foreign flights had to circle in Pakistani airspace during the storm. A Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to London remained in Pakistani airspace for 15 minutes.

Flights from Taipei to Paris, Baku to Islamabad, Islamabad to London, Manila to Istanbul, New Delhi to Istanbul, Muscat and Istanbul to Lahore also faced difficulties in Pakistani airspace.