Pakistan Denies IndiGo Flight Entry Into Airspace Amid Turbulence, Hailstorm Hits Mid-Air

A Delhi-to-Srinagar IndiGo flight carrying more than 220 passengers, including five Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, was struck by a severe hailstorm mid-air on Wednesday after Pakistani air traffic authorities denied its request to briefly enter Pakistan’s airspace to avoid turbulence, official sources said.

The flight, numbered 6E 2142, was en route when it encountered extreme weather conditions near Amritsar. The pilot contacted Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) requesting a brief deviation into Pakistani airspace to bypass the storm cell. The request was turned down, forcing the aircraft to continue on its original path where it encountered the hailstorm.

Despite the chaos onboard, the IndiGo crew managed the situation effectively, and the flight landed safely in Srinagar. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.

The hailstorm was so intense it damaged the aircraft’s nose cone. Video clips recorded by passengers showed overhead bins rattling violently, with many passengers screaming, praying, and visibly panicked.

Among the passengers were TMC leaders Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur. Sharing her experience, Sagarika Ghose said, “It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming and panicking. The pilot deserves full credit for the safe landing.”

IndiGo confirmed in a statement that the flight landed without incident and that all passengers are safe. “The aircraft will undergo a detailed inspection before its next operation,” the airline said.

The pilot had sought the deviation as per standard aviation safety protocol, but the Lahore ATC declined the request. This incident comes amid strained India-Pakistan relations following “Operation Sindoor” — India’s military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Since the operation, both countries have imposed airspace restrictions on each other. Pakistan has banned Indian carriers from using its airspace, and India has reciprocated with similar restrictions on Pakistani flights.

The DGCA has taken cognisance of the incident and is conducting a technical and procedural review. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is also expected to raise the matter diplomatically, given the presence of Indian lawmakers on board and the potential safety implications.