IndiGo flight denied entry into Pak airspace amid hailstorm: DGCA

The turbulence-hit Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo flight, which made an emergency landing with a damaged nose on May 21, was denied permission to divert into Pakistani airspace to evade thunderstorms, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Friday.

- DEEPAK PATEL

The denial from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) on Wednesday came amid a broader airspace restriction imposed by Pakistan on Indian carriers. Islamabad had closed its airspace to Indian civil flights two days after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly Hindus, lost their lives.

"As per crew statement, they requested Northern control (IAF) for deviation towards left (International Border) due to weather on the route, however it was not approved. Later crew contacted Lahore to enter into their airspace to avoid the weather but the same was refused too," the DGCA mentioned.