Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said he appreciated the efforts of the pilots and the crew who were very composed in the way they have handled the situation

Faced with rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and limited alternatives, the crew initially considered turning back but ultimately decided to fly through the storm to minimise exposure time.

Aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday said the crew of the IndiGo flight from the national capital to Srinagar on Wednesday had sought permission to enter Pakistan airspace to avoid turbulence but the request was rejected.