A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing 777 bound for Manchester Airport declared a general emergency shortly after crossing into British airspace on Wednesday.
Flight PK701, operated by a Boeing 777-240LR (registration AP-BGY), departed Islamabad International Airport (ISB) at 12:15 PKT. After roughly eight hours of routine flight across Central Asia and Europe, the flight crew transmitted squawk code 7700 (the universal transponder signal indicating an in-flight emergency) as the aircraft initiated its descent into the UK.
Flight Overview
| Parameter | Flight Details |
| Flight Number | PK701 / PIA701 |
| Aircraft | Boeing 777-240LR (Reg: AP-BGY) |
| Origin | Islamabad International Airport (ISB) |
| Destination | Manchester Airport (MAN) |
| Departure Time | 12:15 PKT |
| Expected Arrival | 16:25 BST |
| Transponder Code | Squawk 7700 (Emergency) |
Response and Priority Landing Status
Broadcasting a 7700 squawk alerts UK Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately, granting the flight priority clearance over other traffic and preparing ground-based emergency services as a precaution.
The exact reason for the emergency declaration has not yet been confirmed by PIA officials or Manchester Airport authorities. Transponder emergency signals can indicate medical emergencies, mechanical issues, cabin pressurization changes, or severe system warnings requiring quick ground assistance.
The aircraft remains under active radar vectoring and is expected to land at Manchester (MAN) at approximately 16:25 BST, where airport emergency response crews will meet the plane on arrival.
UPDATE #1
Touch down on runway 23R at 16:23 BST.
UPDATE #2
Taxied to the gate.
