IndiGo Flight’s Plea for Pakistani Airspace Denied During Mid-Air Turbulence

A Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo flight which encountered severe hailstorm turbulence mid-air on Wednesday had sought permission from Pakistani air traffic control to briefly enter Pakistan's airspace to avoid the hazardous weather. However, Lahore ATC denied the request, according to sources cited by PTI on Thursday.

Flight 6E 2142, carrying over 220 passengers including a five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), faced sudden and intense turbulence while flying near Amritsar. The pilot, noting the unstable weather conditions, requested a deviation through Pakistani airspace as a safety precaution. This request was refused.

Forced to continue on its original path, the aircraft flew through a powerful hailstorm but ultimately landed safely at Srinagar airport. Notably, the aircraft's nose suffered minor damage due to the unexpected hailstorm.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.

IndiGo confirmed the safe landing and stated that the flight crew followed all emergency protocols. The plane was promptly inspected on the ground before being cleared for further operations.

Among the passengers were prominent TMC MPs Derek O'Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur. Sagarika Ghose described the ordeal as a "near-death experience," recalling the panic inside the cabin as people screamed, prayed, and feared for their lives. She also mentioned that the aircraft's nose was damaged during the storm and commended the pilot for his expert handling under pressure.

Videos circulating on social media show passengers visibly distressed during the turbulence, with some crying and others clasping their hands in prayer as the plane shook violently. Overhead compartments rattled while passengers gripped their seats tightly.

The denial of airspace use comes amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, India's military response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. Both countries continue to restrict each other's airspace-Pakistan remains closed to Indian flights, and India reciprocates by barring Pakistani airlines.