PIA Boeing 747 Forced Down in Russia

PIA Boeing 747 Forced Down in Russia

A Pakistani passenger plane was forced to land at Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday amid a dispute over its use of Russian airspace, but it was allowed to resume its flight shortly afterward, the air force said Monday.

A MiG-29 fighter forced the Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747 down when its pilots ignored instructions from air traffic controllers, the air force said.

It was unclear what the instructions were.

The Pakistani Embassy said Monday that Russia has charged that the flight was not approved.

But the embassy added that a March 25 agreement had authorized the Sunday flight from Karachi, Pakistan, to Manchester, England.

The plane was allowed to resume its journey later Sunday.

MT

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