Islamabad: Pakistan’s Air Traffic Controller (ATC) welcomed Air India’s special flights carrying relief materials and evacuated European nationals, reported ANI.
Air India was operating special flights from India to Frankfurt when it entered Pakistan’s Flight Information Region (FIR) and Pakistan’s Air Traffic Controller (ATF) greeted them with “Assalaam Alaikum“. “Confirm are you operating relief flights from Frankfurt,” Pakistan’s ATC asked. “Affirm,” the captain responded. Pakistan’s ATC lauded India for operating flights amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We are proud of you, that in a pandemic situation you are operating flights. Good luck,” he said.
One of the senior captains of the special flights said, “It was a very proud moment for me, as well as the entire Air India crew when we heard Pakistan ATC praising our special flight operations to Europe.”
When Air India’s captain asked why he is not getting the next radar for Iran’s airspace, Pakistan’s ATC conveyed India’s jet position to Tehran’s airspace. The Indian captain told ANI that it was the first time in his entire career that the Middle East country had given a direct route of over 1000 miles. He said Iran rarely gives a direct route to any airline because it is reserved for Iran’s defense purposes only.–Agencies
