An Indigo flight flying from Delhi to Srinagar on 20/05/2025 was badly damaged by a hailstorm. The hailstorm was so powerful that there was a hole on the flight nose. The aircraft was carrying over 220 passengers, Crew separate. An aircraft will not fly under the following circumstances: if the pilot is sick, or if the weather is sick, or if the aircraft is sick. This scenario is a classic case of weather being sick. The pilot wanted to change the course of flight by entering Pakistani airspace but was denied permission by the Lahore air controller. Yet another element of drama was added with the name Pakistan for the stupid act of pilot.
Will the insurance pay for the damage to the aircraft is the moot question.
Usually, whenever there is inclement weather, the pilot is expected to return back to the place from where he has taken off, or land at the nearest place where there is no danger. His immediate safe place, that is Pakistani headspace, was an enemy territory. No permission was given. Under these circumstances, the prudent thing that the pilot should have done was to return to the place from where the flight has taken off. He did not do this. All that ends well is well. No passenger is dead, though few of them were injured. The pilot cannot be regarded as a hero. If he were to be regarded by you as a hero, usually our Indian people will surely do. I can say he can be granted the honor of a being a foolish hero.
The damage to the aircraft happened while it was in operation, while the aircraft was going from Delhi to Srinagar. In other words, the pilots know that the damage to the aircraft is being done. He has not taken any steps whatsoever to mitigate the loss except contacting the enemy territory. He has not behaved the way he has to i.e., to act as if the aircraft was not insured. His action as a pilot was not only foolish in the sense of endangering the lives and property but also grossly unprofessional. Hence, I do not think insurance will pay.
Assuming the plane was insured (as it almost certainly was) Moreover, I’m sure that both the airline and the pilot had access to weather reports from the Meteorological Department, which offer scientifically grounded forecasts that are updated regularly. Despite the weather reports, the airline has chosen to operate the flight. Were they not given? Were they not driven by greed? Greed of earning more profit rather than passenger and property safety?
Thus, the whole damage incurred to the aircraft cannot be paid by the insurer. Further, for causing grave and serious injuries to many passengers and endangering the lives of over 220 passengers. The airlines must suitably be punished or penalized or both. Let us assume that the Pakistani authorities permitted the pilot to enter their airspace and if there were any terrorist attack to happen. Do you think the insurer would have paid for such a disaster? Thankfully, this scenario was avoided. It is with pure luck that the passengers survived with only minor injuries and the aircraft landed safely. It is imperative therefore to have a thorough review of Indigo insurance regime program so that everything is paid by the insurer in case if there were to be a claim under these circumstances.
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy
Founder & Director – Topspot Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. (insurancepe)
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