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HomeIndia'Assalaam Alaikum!' — Pakistan Air Traffic Controller (ATC) praises Air India

‘Assalaam Alaikum!’ — Pakistan Air Traffic Controller (ATC) praises Air India

Pakistan's Flight Information Region & ATC have praised the airline for its special flight operations to Europe amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

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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 criss-crossing the world.

“It was a very proud moment for me as well as the entire Air India crew when we heard from Pakistan ATC praising our special flight operations to Europe,” one of the senior captains of the special flights told exclusively to ANI.

“As we entered in the Pakistan’s Flight Information Region (FIR) and 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.

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

Air India captain replied, saying “Cleared direct Kebud, Thank you.”

At 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 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.
Many crew members of AI’s Boeing-777 and Boeing 787 were deployed for the special evacuation flights for European and Canadian citizens from Mumbai and Delhi.

Before taking off from Mumbai airport, the ATC there, besides giving permission praised the national carrier’s efforts amidst crisis, saying “we are proud of you”.

The Captain also replied back stating that they were also proud of working with the ATC and all other services as a sign of mutual respect.

After Pakistan airspace, the special AI flight entered Iran. As the captain told ANI, it had never happened before in his entire pilot career that the Middle East country had given a direct route of over 1000 miles.

“First time in my entire career as pilot, Iran gave a direct routing for about 1000 miles a privilege guess enjoyed as special flights, in all especially in the recent tense situation in the Iranian airspace,” he said

Iran has rarely given direct route to any of airlines because direct route of Iran airspace is strictly kept reserve for their defence purposes only. Before leaving Iran airspace, the ATC there also wished us ‘all the best’,” the AI captain told to ANI.

After Iran, the AI special flights entered into the Turkey airspace and then Germany’s. “All ATCs from Bombay to Frankfurt welcomed the special flights of Air India and wished us very proudly,” the Captain said.

The two special Air India flight flew out stranded European and Canadian citizens from Mumbai. All crew members including the pilots wore the mandatory COVID-19 coveralls for over 20 hours at a stretch (to/from and ground time at Frankfurt). They will now remain in self-quarantine for 14 days.

To prevent of spread of covid-19 virus, India has announced for 21-days lockdown and many of foreign nationals are still stranded in several parts of India.


Also read: Air India to conduct special flights to London to fly out stranded foreigners amid lockdown


 

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9 COMMENTS

  1. It’s indeed a proud moment for Indians on getting appreciated by Pakistani & Iranian
    ian Civil avaition authorities applauding
    the humane services ,this gesture has sho
    an they’re with us in the fighting Covid-19.

  2. In so much negative news all around, what a fresh whisker from Pakistan. Insha Allah. I hope that news of Pak plans are unreal and they don’t send Covid infected terrorists , by crossing LoC to India , by these sweet words, thinking they will be flattered and Indian armed forces, will be putting their guards down. Sadly trust is lost and will never be reinstituted, until we are one unified nation , pre independence. And together , we conquer the United Kingdom. Insha Allah

  3. Great. It is a matter of proud for India and the crew members deserves the best compliments ftom all Indians. The co operation extended by other countries is also welcome and whole world shoukd unite for the well being of the human kind not only during crisis situation but also in normal life

  4. We’re very proud of our Air India Pilots, Humanity at its best, Congratulations and be Blessed always. Jai Hind.

  5. “coronavirus swept across continents, perishing millions” is inaccurate. The death toll is so far around 57,000+ and not a million.

  6. How sweet.
    God bless.
    The people of India and Pakistan will soon do what their to leaders have been unable to….usher peace.
    God bless Pakistan ATC….may your tribe increase.

    • Thank you for being optimistic. All humans have some good in them. If tomorrow we all convert to a religion that instructs you to murder and rape in name of God, your conscience gets confused. Some will do that for the sake of hereafter. Not their fault? We humans are design like that, wired like that. Therefore, cautious optimism is needed. Stop being teary eyed.

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