An IndiGo pilot operating the Delhi-Srinagar flight, which encountered a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday.
An IndiGo pilot flying the Delhi-Srinagar route on Wednesday encountered a sudden hailstorm and requested permission from Lahore air traffic control to briefly enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the turbulence, sources said on Thursday. However, the request was denied.
Flight 6E 2142, carrying over 220 passengers, including MPs from the Trinamool Congress, was struck by severe turbulence and the pilot declared an “emergency” to Srinagar ATC. The aircraft landed safely later that day.
According to sources, while the aircraft was flying near Amritsar, the pilot detected turbulence and sought clearance from Lahore ATC to divert through Pakistani airspace. The request was declined, forcing the plane to stick to its original route, where it faced intense turbulence.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
