Pakistan Denies IndiGo Flight Turbulence Avoidance Request

A request from an IndiGo flight crew to utilize Pakistani airspace to circumvent anticipated turbulence was denied by Pakistani authorities, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed Friday. The flight, originating from Delhi and destined for Srinagar on Wednesday, proactively sought permission to briefly enter Pakistan’s airspace as a precautionary measure. While standard procedure allows for such requests to optimize flight paths and passenger comfort, the DGCA stated that Pakistani authorities did not grant approval. This incident highlights the complex airspace dynamics in the region and, frankly, seems a rather routine request unnecessarily politicized. While airspace security is paramount, denying a simple deviation to avoid turbulence appears overly cautious and potentially compromises passenger experience. It’s a reminder that even technical aviation matters can be influenced by broader geopolitical considerations, and a more pragmatic approach could have been easily implemented without compromising safety or sovereignty.