*ISLAMABAD – **An unprecedented exchange of surprise greetings betweenPakistan Air Traffic Control and Air India flight captain.*
*The coronavirus knows no borders but amid the death and disease, it ishelping bring people together.*
It recently created a moment of camaraderie between neighbours and longtimerivals Pakistan and India. When a special Air India flight evacuatingEuropean nationals from India to Frankfurt crossed over Pakistan, itreceived a special message from an Air Traffic Controller.
“It was a very proud moment for me as well as the entire Air India crewwhen we heard from Pakistan ATC praising our special flight operations toEurope,” one of the senior captains of the special flights told *ANI*.
When the flight entered Pakistan’s flight information region they receiveda greeting from the Karachi control welcoming their relief flight toFrankfurt.
Once the flight confirmed its position and was cleared to exit the space,the air controller gave them a special message.
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“We are proud of you that in a pandemic situation you are operatingflights. Good luck!”
When the captain commanding the special flights told the Pakistani ATC hecould get the radar for the Iranian airspace, Pakistan conveyed the Indianjet’s position to the Tehran sirspace controller and provided details ofthe two special flights.
After crossing Pakistan’s airspace, the special flight entered Iran. Thecaptain told ANI that he had never seen Iran giving a direct route of 1,000miles in his entire career. A special dispensation was granted for reliefflights.
