Pakistan Air Traffic Controller (ATC) greeted two Air India special flights from India to Frankfurt, which were carrying COVID-19 relief materials and evacuated European nationals, with a rather unexpected praise.
News agency ANI reported that the Pakistan ATC had signed off with a “we are proud of you” message for the Air India crew who were operating the special relief flights during the global pandemic. The gesture was welcomed by many on the social media.
Air India was operating two special flights from India to Frankfurt with relief materials and evacuated European nationals, who were stranded in India as Coronavirus swept across continents.
“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 had been quoted as saying by 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 said.
“Confirm are you operating relief flights for Frankfurt,” the Pakistan 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 the Air India crew.
“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.
The ANI report further said that the Pakistan ATC helped the Air India flight in connecting to the next ATC in Iran airspace and provided details of the two Air India special flights which were given a special status by Iran – providing them a rare direct route.
