IndiGo Flight Declares Fuel Mayday, Lands Safely in Bengaluru
An IndiGo flight operating from Guwahati to Chennai triggered a mid-air emergency on Thursday evening after declaring a fuel-related Mayday and was forced to make an emergency landing in Bengaluru. The Airbus A321 aircraft, carrying 168 passengers, landed safely without any injuries reported.
Fuel Mayday Declared After Missed Landing
Flight 6E-6764, which took off from Guwahati around 4:40 pm, encountered difficulties as it approached Chennai airport at approximately 7:45 pm. Despite an initial attempt to land, the aircraft aborted its descent and executed a go-around after briefly touching down. The aircraft then entered a holding pattern for an extended duration due to runway congestion, causing significant fuel consumption.
With fuel reserves nearing critical levels and conditions at Chennai still unfavourable, the pilot made the decision to declare a “Mayday – fuel” emergency to air traffic control. The aircraft was immediately diverted to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
Emergency Landing in Bengaluru
Thanks to swift coordination from Bengaluru air traffic controllers, the flight was granted priority clearance for landing. Fire and medical response teams were placed on standby as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely between 8:11 and 8:20 pm. All passengers were deboarded without incident and provided necessary assistance at the airport.
The crew followed standard safety protocols, and after refuelling and replacing the pilots due to duty hour limitations, the aircraft resumed its journey, departing Bengaluru around 10:30 pm.
Rising Safety Concerns in Aviation Sector
This emergency follows closely on the heels of two other incidents that have sparked concern over aviation safety in India. Just days earlier, an Air India Dreamliner crashed near Ahmedabad after issuing a Mayday call. Another IndiGo flight bound for Madurai returned to Chennai due to a technical snag. These back-to-back occurrences have put the spotlight on operational procedures, fuel management, and decision-making under duress.
Reports indicate that the pilots of the affected IndiGo flight have been temporarily grounded pending an internal inquiry, though the airline has not officially confirmed disciplinary measures. Internal sources maintain that the crew acted according to protocol and made the right call under pressure.
