IndiGo Flight 6E 2142, carrying 227 passengers, encountered severe turbulence and requested permission to enter Pakistani airspace, but the request was denied. All passengers are safe.
IndiGo Flight Incident: On Wednesday, IndiGo flight 6E 2142, en route from Delhi to Srinagar, experienced a critical situation. While flying over Amritsar, the aircraft encountered severe weather and turbulence, including b winds and hail, causing panic among passengers.
Pilot's Request for Pakistani Assistance
To avoid the severe weather, the pilot requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to briefly enter Pakistani airspace – a standard procedure when rerouting is necessary to avoid turbulence. However, Pakistan denied this humanitarian request.
Passenger Safety Compromised
The aircraft carried 227 people, including IndiGo crew and five Members of Parliament (MPs). TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh reported passengers crying and fearing for their lives, describing the experience as terrifying. The aircraft's nose cone was also significantly damaged.
DGCA Launches Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation. The DGCA stated that the pilot declared an emergency due to the severe weather. An Airport Authority of India official confirmed that no one suffered serious injuries, and all passengers are safe.
IndiGo's Official Statement
IndiGo Airlines responded, stating, "Our flight 6E 2142 encountered unexpected severe weather and hail. The crew followed all established procedures to ensure passenger safety. The aircraft landed safely, and our team provided priority assistance to passengers."
Impact of India-Pakistan Tensions
This incident occurred amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Following a recent Pulwama-type terrorist attack, India closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft. In response, Pakistan has also refused entry to Indian aircraft into its airspace.
Political and Public Reaction
The incident has sparked political debate, heightened by the presence of MPs on board. There are calls in India to prioritize humanitarian concerns over political differences. Questions are also being raised about whether Pakistan's actions violate international aviation regulations.
