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Tue, Jan 13, 2026 | Rajab 24, 1447 | Fajr 05:44 | DXB 
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Jeddah to Lahore PIA flight makes emergency landing due to technical fault
The Pakistan International Airlines flight was diverted to Dammam after facing a technical fault mid-air, triggering deployment of oxygen masks
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Jeddah to Lahore was diverted and had to make an emergency landing at Dammam after an onboard emergency, Pakistani media reports said.
Flight PK860 was scheduled to land at Lahore airport at 8pm on Friday (December 19), but was diverted to Dammam's King Fahd International Airport due to a technical issue, said a PIA spokesperson.
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Officials say the plane was carrying 381 passengers. A technical alert was received mid-air, triggering the deployment of oxygen masks and causing panic among passengers, including dozens of Umrah pilgrims, the Express Tribune reported.
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The aircraft switched its transponder frequency to 7700 — signifying a general emergency, while still in Saudi airspace, Dawn reported.
The plane made an emergency landing at Dammam airport and all passengers were safely disembarked shortly afterwards. An alternative aircraft was arranged by PIA, which was dispatched from Pakistan to transport the stranded passengers to Lahore.
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