Fri May 23 06:10:32 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**IndiGo Flight Encounters Severe Turbulence En Route to Srinagar; Pakistani ATC Denies Airspace Request**

**New Delhi/Mumbai – May 23, 2025** – An IndiGo flight (6E 2142) from Delhi to Srinagar experienced severe turbulence on May 21, 2025, due to a sudden hailstorm, prompting an emergency declaration. While the flight landed safely at Srinagar International Airport, sources revealed that the pilot’s request to briefly enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the turbulence was denied by Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC).

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the incident, which occurred when the aircraft was overflying Amritsar. The pilot, noticing the impending turbulence, sought permission from Lahore ATC for a brief deviation. Due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Pakistani airspace is currently closed to Indian carriers. Reciprocally, Indian airspace is closed for Pakistani airlines.

IndiGo confirmed the incident in a statement issued on May 22, 2025, stating that the flight encountered a hailstorm and landed safely in Srinagar. The airline reported that all passengers were attended to, with no injuries reported. The aircraft is currently undergoing inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will resume operations after clearances.

Among the over 220 passengers were a five-member delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs, including Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur. MP Sagarika Ghose described the experience as near-death. Videos circulating on social media captured passengers praying during the intense turbulence.

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