How an IndiGo Flight Avoided a Potential Disaster by Entering Pakistani Airspace?
On June 10, 2023, an IndiGo flight from Amritsar to Ahmedabad made an unexpected detour into Pakistani airspace due to bad weather conditions. The flight, which had 180 passengers and six crew members on board, was flying over the border town of Atari when it encountered heavy rain and strong winds that forced it to change its course.
The Deviation
According to IndiGo, flight 6E-645 had to take a deviation over Atari into Pakistan airspace due to bad weather. The deviation was well coordinated with Pakistan by Amritsar Air Traffic Control (ATC) via telephone. The crew was in continuous contact with Pakistan on the radio and the flight landed in Ahmedabad safely after the deviation.
The flight entered Pakistani airspace at around 19:40 IST and exited at around 20:10 IST, spending about 30 minutes in the neighboring country’s territory. The flight was monitored by both countries’ ATCs and no Indian Air Force jets were scrambled during the incident.
The Implications
The incident was not a violation of any international norms or agreements, as commercial flights are allowed to cross into nearby airspaces to avoid poor weather or emergencies. However, it was a rare and sensitive occurrence given the history of hostility and tension between India and Pakistan.
The two countries have been involved in several conflicts and disputes over the Kashmir region and other issues since their independence in 1947. In February 2019, they engaged in a military standoff after a terrorist attack in Pulwama killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. India conducted airstrikes on a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan, and Pakistan retaliated by shooting down an Indian fighter jet and capturing its pilot. Both countries closed their airspaces to each other for several months after the incident.
Since then, the relations between the two countries have improved slightly, with some gestures of goodwill and cooperation. In March 2020, Pakistan opened its airspace for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight to Dhaka, Bangladesh. In April 2021, both countries agreed to observe a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. In May 2021, Pakistan allowed an Indian Air Force plane carrying medical supplies for COVID-19 relief to fly over its airspace.
However, the situation remains fragile and unpredictable, as both countries continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire and supporting terrorism. Any incident involving their airspaces could potentially escalate into a crisis or a confrontation.
The Reaction
The incident of the IndiGo flight entering Pakistani airspace did not cause any major uproar or controversy in either country. The authorities and the media reported it as a routine and harmless event that was handled professionally and peacefully by both sides.
The passengers and the crew of the flight also did not face any trouble or inconvenience during the deviation. They were informed about the situation by the pilot and were assured that everything was under control. They expressed their relief and gratitude for landing safely in Ahmedabad.
The incident also did not affect the operations or reputation of IndiGo, which is India’s largest airline by market share and passengers carried. The airline said that it followed all the standard procedures and protocols for such situations and thanked both ATCs for their cooperation and support.
The incident showed that despite their differences and disputes, India and Pakistan can cooperate and communicate effectively when it comes to civil aviation matters. It also demonstrated that both countries are capable of avoiding any unnecessary escalation or conflict that could endanger the lives of innocent people.
