Pakistan rejected IndiGo pilot's request to use its airspace for turbulence-hit Delhi-Srinagar flight with 220 people
The pilot of the Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo aircraft that was battered by a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday, had initially Lahore Air Traffic Control's permission to use the Pakistan airspace for a brief while to avoid the turbulence. However, his request was denied, a report said on Thursday.
According to a PTI report quoting sources, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the incident where flight 6E 2142 encountered severe turbulence.
The IndiGo flight, carrying more than 220 people, including Trinamool Congress MPs encountered a sudden hailstorm, and the pilot reported the 'emergency' to air traffic control at Srinagar airport.
The aircraft landed safely on Wednesday, but passengers were left battered.
The pilot noticed the turbulence while flying over Amritsar and reached out to Lahore ATC to seek permission to take a deviation through the Pakistan airspace on Wednesday, as per the PTI report. However, the request was rejected by Lahore ATC, it said.
As a result, the flight had to navigate through its original path, which was affected by severe turbulence.
Pakistan has closed its airspace for all Indian aircraft in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people. India has also closed its airspace for Pakistani carriers.
In a statement on Wednesday, IndiGo said its flight 6E 2142, operating from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered a sudden hailstorm en route.
"The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The airport team attended to the customers after the arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort. The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance," it had said.
A five-member delegation of Trinamool Congress comprising Derek O'Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur was on the flight.
"It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying and panicking," Ghose said on Wednesday.
"Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that. When we landed, we saw the nose of the plane had blown up," she had said and added that the delegation thanked the pilot after the landing.
Videos of the moments of turbulence emerged on social media showing panicked passengers praying for their lives as the plane swayed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
All-party parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor wraps up U.S. visit
A multi-party parliamentary delegation wrapped up its visit to the U.S. after meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau among political and diplomatic leaders, to drive home India's strong resolve to combat terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on the last leg of a multi-nation tour to brief key interlocutors about Operation Sindoor that India launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The delegation was one of the seven multi-party delegations India had tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. The group arrived in the U.S. capital on June 3 and over the course of three days held a wide array of meetings on Capitol Hill as well as in Washington, briefing American government officials as well as lawmakers about India's stance on cross-border terrorism. The Indian team met Vice President Vance, Mr. Landau, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, India Caucus leadership and Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders. It also held meetings and interactions with a host of U.S. Congressmen, think tanks, policy experts, media as well as members of the Indian-American community. Mr. Tharoor described the meeting with Mr. Vance at the White House for about 25 minutes on Thursday (June 5, 2025) as 'an excellent meeting,' and said the Vice President was 'warm and welcoming and receptive.' 'Mr. Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India's restrained response in Operation Sindoor,' Mr. Tharoor told PTI after that meeting. After the delegation met Mr. Landau on Friday (June 6, 2025), a statement by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the Deputy Secretary of State 'reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries.' 'We discussed the U.S.-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries,' Mr. Landau said. The Indian Embassy said in a statement that during the meeting with Mr. Landau, the delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms. In a post on X on Sunday (June 8, 2025), Mr. Tharoor wrote in Hindi, "On behalf of all the members, I express my gratitude to the motherland and the lovers of India in the country and abroad who listened with open ears and accepted with open heart that we are lovers of non-violence but only until someone... Jai Hind". सौ बार जन्म लेंगे तो सौ बार करेंगे जी भर के अपने वतन से प्यार करेंगे जो हम से बन पड़ा, "अ वतन" हमने किया है जो सच था, सारी दुनिया ने अब जान लिया है समस्त सदस्यों की तरफ से मातृभूमि का और देश विदेश में हिंदुस्तान प्रेमियों का बहुत-बहुत आभार जिन्होंने कान खोल कर सुना और दिल खोल कर… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 8, 2025 On the last day of the delegation's scheduled meetings, the delegation paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue opposite the Indian Embassy here. 'It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century's greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom,' Mr. Tharoor posted on X afterwards. The team, which had arrived from India in New York on May 24, had travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of the tour. The other members of the delegation were Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India's former Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Sandhu. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
June 9, 2025: Best photos from around the world
Visitors look at a sand sculpture created by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 years in office, at Puri beach, in Odisha, Sunday, June 8, 2025. Credit: PTI Photo A man waves a Mexican flag as smoke and flames rise from a burning vehicle during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, near Los Angeles City Hall, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Nations League. Credit: Reuters Photo Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy as he points to the clock after playing the longest ever men's singles final at Roland Garros in history. Credit: Reuters Photo
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
June 9, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Research Cooperation
India and France opened a new era of cooperation with the signing of an agreement to set up a science and technology research centre in New Delhi. Another agreement on cooperation in the field of environment, which includes France's help for cleaning the Ganga's waters, will be signed as well. To be jointly financed by India and France, the centre will always have an Indian director. Curfew In Hoshiarpur Day curfew was imposed in Hoshiarpur which remained tense after last night's incidents of arson and violence followed by police firing. The town has remained tense ever since the murder of the Punjab Lok Dal president, Balbir Singh, on May 10. The deputy commissioner said that the curfew may be relaxed tomorrow if the situation warranted. He also said that 45 people have been arrested on charges of indulging in violence and arson. Siachen Claim Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, disputed India's claim to the Siachen glacier area and said that Islamabad would take up the matter again with the Indian government. Khan told the National Assembly that the Indian government had for the second time put forward its claim to this area. 'It obviously is not a new occurrence''. Zhao on Tibet The Chinese Prime Minister, Zhao Ziyang, said there was no question of reconsidering the future of Tibet except within the framework of China. He said that Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since the seventh century. This was a historical fact and has been recognised by the international community. As such there was 'no question' of discussing its future pattern or status except within the framework of China's territory, he asserted.
