An IndiGo flight (6E-6764) from Guwahati to Chennai carrying 168 passengers made an emergency landing at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after the captain issued a ‘Mayday’ call, citing critically low fuel levels. The Airbus A321 had initially attempted to land in Chennai around 7:45 PM but aborted the landing after the gear touched down, executing a ‘go-around’ maneuver. Approximately 35 miles from Bengaluru, the pilot declared an emergency, prompting air traffic control (ATC) and ground staff at KIA to mobilize medical and fire services. The aircraft landed safely at 8:20 PM.
The incident occurred shortly after a tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down following its own Mayday call, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers. Though unrelated, the proximity of both events has raised concerns about flight safety and emergency preparedness. A passenger aboard the IndiGo flight described the abrupt ascent during the balked landing as alarming, with many on board visibly shaken.
Sources confirmed that the IndiGo pilot did not attempt a second landing in Chennai and instead chose to divert immediately to Bengaluru. Both pilots involved in the incident have been taken off duty, although IndiGo has yet to make an official statement. In a separate incident on Friday, another IndiGo flight en route to Madurai experienced a technical issue mid-air and safely returned to Chennai with 68 passengers on board. All passengers were deplaned following standard safety procedures.
