IndiGo Pilots Say IAF and Lahore ATC Denied Route Change Request to Avoid Hailstorm on Delhi-Srinagar Flight: Report to DGCA

On May 21, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E-2142, an Airbus A321neo flying from Delhi to Srinagar with more than 220 passengers onboard, encountered a violent hailstorm near Pathankot in Punjab. To avoid the hazardous weather, the pilots requested a route change, but were turned down by both Indian and Pakistani authorities.

Faced with worsening conditions, the flight crew first contacted Northern Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF), asking to divert toward Indian airspace near the international border. The IAF declined the request, citing restricted airspace regulations. Looking for an alternative, the crew then reached out to Pakistan’s Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC), requesting temporary access into Pakistani airspace to navigate around the storm. However, Lahore ATC also refused, reportedly due to an airspace ban enforced by Pakistan amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

With few options remaining and the storm intensifying, the pilots considered returning to Delhi. However, the storm had moved rapidly, making the return path equally dangerous. Choosing the safest possible course under the circumstances, the crew opted to continue toward Srinagar while trying to minimize the aircraft’s exposure to the harsh weather.

As the flight entered the turbulent zone, it experienced extreme weather conditions. The aircraft’s autopilot system disengaged due to the severity of the turbulence, and the aircraft’s descent rate briefly spiked to as much as 8,500 feet per minute. The pilots took manual control of the plane and worked to stabilize it through significant wind shear and speed variations.

After regaining control, the crew declared a “PAN PAN” emergency—a step below a full “Mayday”—to Srinagar ATC, indicating a situation of urgency. The ATC responded with navigational assistance, and the plane landed safely at Srinagar airport. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew. A post-landing inspection revealed that the aircraft’s nose radome had sustained visible damage from the hailstorm.

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched a probe into the incident. The investigation aims to understand the decision-making process, assess the pilots’ responses, and determine whether procedures were followed appropriately under such extreme weather circumstances.

Passengers later praised the flight crew’s calm handling of the situation, noting the professionalism and control displayed during the turbulent experience. The incident highlights the challenges pilots face when weather events intersect with complex airspace restrictions and political boundaries.

Experts are now urging for improved coordination between civil aviation authorities and military airspace managers, both domestically and internationally. Greater flexibility and communication could help ensure the safety of flights during emergency situations, particularly when weather patterns shift rapidly and force crews to make split-second decisions.