Report: IndiGo Airlines Flight Diverts to Pakistan Due to Inclement Weather
An IndiGo Airlines flight from Amritsar to Ahmedabad faced an unexpected turn of events as it strayed into Pakistani airspace near Lahore due to severe weather conditions. However, the aircraft safely returned to Indian airspace without any incidents, according to a media report on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, as reported by the Dawn newspaper.
Flight radar data captured the deviation of the Indian plane from its intended path, revealing that it entered north of Lahore at approximately 7:30 pm while traveling at a ground speed of 454 knots. It then made its way up to Gujranwala before retracing its route back into Indian airspace at 8:01 pm. At the time of this news report, there had been no official statement from the airline regarding the incident.
A senior official from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acknowledged that such occurrences were not unusual during adverse weather conditions and stated that it was “internationally allowed.” The report highlighted that the official stated that, in the face of inclement weather, airlines allow aircraft to deviate from their planned flight path to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
PIA (Pakistan International Airlines)
Interestingly, this incident comes from a similar event involving a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight. In May, a PIA flight, while returning from Muscat, entered Indian airspace and remained there for nearly 10 minutes due to heavy rainfall in Pakistan. The pilot of the Boeing 777 aircraft encountered difficulties landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore due to inclement weather.
The challenging weather conditions in Pakistan have also caused disruptions in air travel, resulting in the diversion and delay of several flights. The CAA spokesperson extended the weather warning for Lahore until 11:30 pm on Saturday, citing visibility at the Allama Iqbal International Airport of only 5,000 meters. In light of these conditions, a number of flights destined for Lahore were diverted to Islamabad, where visibility was comparatively better.
The adverse weather system encompassed heavy rain, strong winds, and thunder, which affected various parts of Pakistan on Saturday evening. The worst-hit areas were three adjacent districts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, where approximately 29 people lost their lives due to the severe weather, as The Express Tribune newspaper reported.
As both Pakistan and India grapple with extreme weather events, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing passenger safety and adhering to international aviation guidelines. While unfortunate, the incident involving the IndiGo Airlines flight serves as a testament to the professionalism and expertise of the flight crew, who successfully managed the situation and ensured a safe return to Indian airspace.
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