Explainer: Pakistan’s Denial to IndiGo Pilot Puts 220 Lives at Risk

What Happened Mid-Air During the Hailstorm Horror

On May 21, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar (Flight 6E-2142) carrying over 220 passengers, including Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress, was caught in a dangerous hailstorm and severe turbulence while cruising at an altitude of 36,000 feet near Pathankot, Punjab. The situation escalated into a mid-air emergency after both Indian and Pakistani air traffic controls denied the pilot’s urgent requests to divert due to bad weather.

What triggered the emergency?

According to a detailed statement issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft encountered a hailstorm and extreme turbulence while approaching the northern sector. The flight crew initially reached out to India’s northern air traffic control, which operates under the Indian Air Force (IAF), to request a leftward deviation toward the international border to avoid the storm. That request was denied.

The crew then contacted Lahore air traffic control in Pakistan, seeking temporary entry into Pakistani airspace for weather avoidance. This request was also rejected.

What happened next?

With no option to divert and unable to turn back safely, the IndiGo crew decided to continue toward Srinagar via the shortest route, choosing to penetrate the storm. During this turbulent passage, the aircraft faced severe updrafts and downdrafts, and the autopilot system was disengaged due to extreme conditions.

The aircraft experienced:

• Sharp fluctuations in speed
• Stall warnings
• Maximum Operating Speed/Mach (VMO/MMO) warnings
• A rate of descent reaching 8,500 feet per minute

The crew flew the aircraft manually through the storm. Once through, they declared a ‘PAN PAN’ emergency—a distress signal indicating an urgent but non-life-threatening situation—and contacted Srinagar ATC for radar vectors. The flight landed safely in Srinagar.

Was anyone hurt?

Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, the nose radome of the aircraft was badly damaged, as confirmed in the post-flight inspection. Videos circulating on social media show panicked passengers clinging to their seats and praying as the aircraft shook violently mid-air.

Official statements and response

The DGCA confirmed the sequence of events and said an investigation is underway. IndiGo released a statement saying:

“IndiGo flight 6E-2142 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, prioritizing their wellbeing. The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance.”

Why was Pakistani airspace denied?

The incident comes at a time of heightened India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military retaliation under Operation Sindoor. Amid this standoff, Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian carriers, and India has reciprocated by closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines.

Why it matters

This alarming mid-air emergency highlights the dangerous consequences of geopolitics affecting civil aviation. With over 220 lives at stake, the denial of crucial airspace access due to diplomatic tensions could have led to a tragedy. While all passengers and crew survived, the event underscores the need for cooperation in humanitarian and aviation safety matters, regardless of political hostility.