Pakistan air control greets Air India, showers praise for relief operations

As Air India entered Pakistan's Flight Information Region (FIR), Air Traffic Controller (ATC) greeted the flight with 'Assalaam Alaikum! for its COVID-19 relief operations.

New Delhi: Air India recently found a rather unexpected praise from an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) of Pakistan. Air India was operating special flights from India to Frankfurt with relief materials and evacuated European nationals, who were stranded in India as coronavirus swept across continents, perishing millions and crippling the system of passenger planes crisscrossing the world.

"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," one of the senior captains of the special flights said.

"As we entered in Pakistan's Flight Information Region (FIR), the Pakistan Air Traffic Controller (ATC) greeted us 'Assalaam Alaikum!' This is Karachi's control welcoming Air India for relief flights to Frankfurt," the senior captain quoted the Pakistan ATC as saying.

"Confirm are you operating relief flights for Frankfurt," the Pak ATC further said.

"AFFIRM," said the Air India captain in Pakistan's airspace.

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"You are cleared direct to exit point Kebud request estimate crossing Kebud (Exit)," came a response from the ATC.

Air India captain replied, saying "Cleared direct Kebud, Thank you." After this, the Pakistan ATC showered praise on Air India. "We are proud of you that in a pandemic situation you are operating flights, Good Luck!"

"Thank you so much," responded the captain of India's national carrier.

Furthermore, when the AI captain, who commanded the special flights, asked the Pakistan ATC that he is not getting the next radar for the Iran airspace, Pakistan conveyed the Indian jet's position to the Tehran airspace and provided details of the two AI special flights.

(ANI)