Dhaka: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Jeddah to Lahore made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Saturday after a technical alert triggered the deployment of oxygen masks, causing panic among passengers, including dozens of Umrah pilgrims, local media reported.

According to a PIA spokesperson, flight PK-860, carrying 381 passengers, was scheduled to land at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport at 8 pm but was diverted to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam due to a technical issue.

The Express Tribune noted that a similar incident occurred last month when PIA flight PK-859 from Lahore to Jeddah was forced to divert mid-flight and land at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after the first officer’s windshield cracked.

PIA officials said the windshield was replaced before passengers continued their journey to Jeddah on the same or an alternative aircraft.

Earlier this year, a PIA domestic flight landed in Lahore without one of its rear wheels, raising safety concerns. Flight PK-306, en route from Karachi to Lahore on March 13, completed a normal landing despite the missing wheel.

Authorities confirmed the wheel was present at Karachi airport before take-off, and no trace of it was found after landing, according to a PIA spokesperson.

These incidents have intensified scrutiny over the airline’s operational safety and maintenance procedures.

-B