'Jana tha Japan, pahunch gaye Cheen': Pakistani passenger flown to Jeddah instead of Karachi without passport or visa

A passenger on a domestic flight from Lahore to Karachi was mistakenly flown to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, instead. The incident, reported by ARY News, led the passenger to serve a legal notice to the private airline, accusing it of negligence and demanding compensation. Shahzain, the passenger involved, claimed he boarded the wrong aircraft at the Lahore domestic terminal despite presenting his ticket to the cabin crew. “Two planes were parked at the domestic terminal gate, and I was not aware of the mistake until it was too late,” he said.

The traveller, identified as Malik Shahzain Ahmed, was flying with the private carrier Air Sial, as reported by Gulf News.

He further alleged that the airline staff did not inform him that he was boarding an international flight. Shahzain did not carry a passport or visa, both of which are required for international travel.

In-flight confusion and panic among crew
According to ARY News, Shahzain realised something was wrong two hours into the flight. “Two hours into the flight, I questioned why the plane had not yet reached Karachi. This caused panic among the crew, who then blamed me for the mistake,” he said.

When Shahzain requested to be sent back to Karachi, airline staff allegedly told him it would take two to three days.

Travel time difference added to confusion
A typical flight from Lahore to Karachi takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. In contrast, the flight from Lahore to Jeddah takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. The extended travel time made the mistake evident to the passenger mid-flight.

Legal notice and investigation
Shahzain has served a legal notice to the private airline, seeking reimbursement for additional travel expenses and compensation for the trouble he faced in Saudi Arabia. He has also stated that he will cooperate with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is expected to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

Authorities respond
The Lahore Airport Management has held the airline responsible, citing “negligence and carelessness,” as reported by ARY News. The Pakistan Airport Authority has taken formal notice of the issue, and a request for action against the airline has been submitted to the relevant authorities.

(With inputs from TOI)