Source : INDIATV NEWS
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently investigating the incident involving flight 6E 2142, which experienced severe turbulence.
An IndiGo pilot flying from Delhi to Srinagar on Wednesday reportedly requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to temporarily enter Pakistani airspace in order to avoid a sudden turbulence, however the request was denied, sources said on Thursday.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently investigating the incident involving flight 6E 2142, which experienced severe turbulence.
The flight, carrying over 220 passengers, including Trinamool Congress MPs, encountered a sudden hailstorm, prompting the pilot to declare an “emergency” to air traffic control at Srinagar airport. The aircraft landed safely on Wednesday.
While flying over Amritsar, the pilot detected turbulence and requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to reroute through Pakistani airspace. Sources told PTI that the pilot’s request to deviate through Pakistan’s airspace in order to avoid turbulence was denied by Lahore ATC.
As a result, the flight continued on its original route, where it encountered severe turbulence. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives, tensions between India and Pakistan have led to mutual airspace restrictions, with Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian carriers, and India reciprocating by barring Pakistani airlines from its skies.
Aircraft landed safely in Srinagar: IndiGo
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.
TMC delegation onboard
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 capturing the turbulence surfaced on social media, showing terrified passengers praying as the aircraft shook and swayed mid-air.
(With PTI inputs)
