India permitted Saudia flight with ailing Bangladeshi passenger to land contrary to reports

India had allowed Saudia Airlines with an ailing Bangladeshi passenger to land in the country, contrary to reports that Mumbai had denied permission because of which the aircraft was forced to land in Karachi.

The flight (SV 805, en route to Riyadh), earlier this week, was allowed to land at Mumbai and the aircraft fed in for landing, ET has learnt. It even started dumping fuel to reduce weight.

However, the aircraft thereafter decided to go around and announced that due to company policy, they will not land at Mumbai, sources said, adding, that all personnel including the medical team was ready to provide the necessary assistance.


The flight made an emergency landing in Karachi on Tuesday due to the deteriorating health of a 44-year-old Bangladeshi passenger.

The passenger, identified as Abu Tahir, fell ill during the flight, prompting the pilot to divert the aircraft for a humanitarian landing, Pakistani media The News reported.

Tahir, experiencing poor health, high blood pressure and frequent vomiting, required urgent medical attention. The aircraft landed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Tuesday morning.

After receiving primary treatment, the passenger continued the journey as the plane departed from Karachi to Riyadh.