Islamabad, May 24, 2025: A Delhi to Srinagar IndiGo flight faced severe turbulence on Wednesday when a sudden hailstorm struck near its destination. To avoid the turbulence, the pilot requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to use Pakistani airspace but was denied.
Pakistan’s refusal to grant airspace permission is consistent with its closure of airspace to Indian aircraft following the India strike on Pakistan and subsequent hostilities between the two countries.
The request to avoid turbulence was made when the aircraft was overflying Amritsar. Despite this, the flight continued on its original course, enduring the severe weather. Flight 6E2142 was carrying 227 passengers and suffered visible damage to the aircraft’s nose due to the mid-air turbulence, causing panic among those onboard.
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The pilot declared an emergency as the flight neared Srinagar, successfully landing the aircraft at 6:30 pm. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, though the aircraft was declared ‘Aircraft on Ground’ for urgent repairs.
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“All customers were attended to upon landing and no injuries were reported. The aircraft is currently undergoing necessary inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will resume operations once all clearances have been secured,” the airline said.
The incident highlights the risks airlines face when forced to navigate restricted airspaces during adverse weather conditions, especially in regions where diplomatic tensions limit flexibility.
