| 11 June 2023
In an unexpected turn of events, an IndiGo Airlines flight traveling from Amritsar to Ahmedabad encountered adverse weather conditions, causing the aircraft to unintentionally stray into Pakistani airspace near Lahore before returning to Indian airspace. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was reported by Pakistan's local media outlet, Dawn. Flight radar data indicates that the Indian plane entered the airspace north of Lahore at approximately 7:30 pm, proceeding further into Pakistani territory, reaching Gujranwala, before eventually reentering Indian airspace around 8:01 pm. Throughout this period, the aircraft maintained a ground speed of 454 knots.
According to a senior official from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), such occurrences are not uncommon, as international regulations permit aircraft to deviate from their intended flight paths during adverse weather conditions. This deviation was a direct result of the challenging weather conditions faced by the IndiGo flight.
The adverse weather conditions also led to several flight diversions and delays at Lahore's airport. Poor visibility forced a number of scheduled flights to be redirected to alternative airports. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad was diverted to Multan, while a Jeddah-Lahore flight also had to land in Multan. Dawn reported that multiple flights experienced delays due to the prevailing weather conditions. PIA flights from Lahore to Madina and Karachi to Lahore, as well as an Etihad flight from Lahore to Abu Dhabi, were among those affected by the challenging visibility conditions.
In response to the situation, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority extended the weather warning, prioritizing the safety of passengers and aircraft amidst the adverse weather conditions. The decision to divert and delay flights aimed to mitigate potential risks associated with poor visibility.
While such incidents can be concerning, it is important to note that international regulations are in place to handle unforeseen situations like adverse weather conditions. These regulations provide the necessary flexibility for airlines to deviate from their original flight paths when deemed necessary for the safety of passengers and crew.
IndiGo Airlines and other aviation authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure the necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future
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