IAF assisted IndiGo flight after Pak denied airspace amid turbulence: Report
IndiGo's Delhi to Srinagar flight had sought permission to enter the Pakistan airspace to avoid turbulence due to extreme weather conditions
The Indian Air Force confirmed on Friday that Pakistan denied permission for the turbulence-hit IndiGo flight 6E 214 to use its airspace on Wednesday evening, reported news agency ANI, citing sources.
IndiGo's Delhi-Srinagar flight on Wednesday had sought permission to enter the Pakistani airspace to avoid turbulence due to extreme weather conditions, but the request was rejected. The flight was hit by a violent storm and hailstones near Pathankot and faced intense turbulence.
IAF also assisted the IndiGo flight to safely land at Srinagar airport by giving control vectors and groundspeed readouts, according to IAF sources cited by ANI.
Also read | 'PAN PAN' call mid air: How IndiGo pilot landed turbulence-hit plane safely in Srinagar
What IAF said?
As per IAF sources cited by the news agency, NOTAM A0220/25 issued by Pakistani Civil Aviation Authorities was in vogue upto 23 May 25 midnight (2359 hrs), which mentions, “Pakistan airspace is not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights. Northern Area Control advised the Indigo crew within the frame of the NOTAM (which is also a regular planning feature for all airlines in their route planning), ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers.”
Also read | IndiGo flight’s request to enter Pak airspace to avoid turbulence was rejected: DGCA
“The aircraft was immediately assisted in coordinating their route diversion by contacting Delhi Area and passing the requisite contact frequencies of Lahore control for an overflight weather diversion request. Once Lahore refused overflight clearance, and the aircraft proceeded towards Srinagar, the flight was subsequently professionally assisted till a safe landing at Srinagar airfield by giving control vectors and groundspeed readouts,” the report quoted IAF sources as saying.
Pak extends airspace ban
On Friday, Pakistan extended the bar on all Indian flights to use its airspace till June 24. The restriction applies to "all aircraft registered, operated, owned, or leased by India" and includes Indian military aircraft, the country's regulator said in the statement.
