For operating relief flights in the ongoing state of pandemic due to the deadly novel coronavirus, the pilots and crew of an Air India flight recently received unexpected praise from Pakistan's Air Traffic Controller (ATC), reports Livemint.

The flight was operating between India and Germany's financial capital of Frankfurt, carrying relief material and evacuated European nationals who had been stranded in India post the imposition of lockdown.

After the flight entered the Pakistani Flight Information Region (FIR), their ATC greeted the pilots and after confirming that they were operating relief flight to Frankfurt, and said, "We are proud of you that in a pandemic situation you are operating flights. Good luck!"

The captain of the Air India flight also shared that all the ATCs from Bombay to Frankfurt welcomed the special relief flights operated by Air India and wished them very proudly. These include the ATCs of Iran and Turkey.