Two serious mid-air incidents involving IndiGo flights unfolded over consecutive days, highlighting operational and safety challenges faced by the airline:
-
The aircraft was reportedly held in a holding pattern over Chennai due to runway congestion, and after failing to secure landing clearance, the pilot made the call to divert.
-
At 8:11 PM, the pilot communicated the emergency to Bengaluru ATC, and the flight was permitted to land at 8:15 PM at Kempegowda International Airport.
-
After a safe landing, passengers were deplaned and given refreshments, and the plane was refuelled.
-
The flight resumed journey to Chennai at 10:24 PM, landing there without further incident.
The DGCA and other aviation authorities were promptly informed, and the episode raises critical questions about airport traffic management and fuel planning protocols.
-
The flight had over 60 passengers on board and took off at around 7:55 AM.
-
The crew detected a technical snag mid-flight and, following safety protocols, decided to return to Chennai.
-
The aircraft landed safely and all passengers were reported safe.
While both flights ended without injury or damage, the back-to-back nature of these emergencies is notable and is likely to attract scrutiny from the DGCA, especially amid wider concerns about aviation safety compliance and crew scheduling efficiency following recent incidents with Air India.
These events may prompt a closer look at fuel contingency planning, air traffic control coordination, and technical maintenance standards, particularly during high-traffic periods at major Indian airports.
