In a serious mid-air emergency, an IndiGo flight operating from Guwahati to Chennai had to divert to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Thursday after the crew declared a fuel-related crisis. The flight, carrying 168 passengers, made a safe landing at 8:20 pm following a distress ‘Mayday’ call by the pilot, according to multiple aviation sources.
Flight 6E-6764, an Airbus A321, departed from Guwahati around 4:40 pm and approached Chennai airport at approximately 7:45 pm. However, an aborted landing — known in aviation as a “balked landing” — led to a sharp ascent and decision to divert. “About 35 miles from Bengaluru, the captain signaled a Mayday,” a source familiar with the incident said, noting the approach may not have been stable.
Passengers aboard the flight described the situation as nerve-wracking. “The steep climb caught many off guard — some looked visibly terrified,” said one traveler, who preferred to remain anonymous.
Upon receiving the Mayday notification, Bengaluru air traffic control immediately activated emergency protocols. Firefighters, medics, and ground staff were readied at the airport in advance of the landing. Fortunately, the aircraft landed without incident, and no injuries were reported.
Pilots Removed From Active Duty
Reports revealed that both pilots involved have been temporarily removed from active duty, pending internal review — although IndiGo has yet to confirm this officially. The airline issued a statement attributing the diversion to air traffic congestion in Chennai. However, officials at the Chennai ATC have reportedly refuted that explanation, pointing instead to fuel shortfall as the key factor.
“It seems the aircraft did not meet the minimum required fuel reserve for diversion after the go-around,” said one official with knowledge of the event.
Once refueling was completed in Bengaluru, the journey resumed with a fresh flight crew. The aircraft reached Chennai later that evening, touching down at 11:25 pm.
This incident adds to growing concerns in India’s aviation sector. On the same day, another IndiGo service — this one operating from Delhi to Leh — was forced to return to its departure point due to in-flight technical issues.
Air India Dreamliner Crash Kills 271 After Mayday Call
These developments come on the heels of a devastating crash involving Air India’s Dreamliner flight AI171. That aircraft, which took off from Ahmedabad bound for London on June 12, issued a Mayday call before crashing into a residential zone and erupting in flames. The tragedy claimed nearly all 242 passengers and crew, in addition to 29 people on the ground.
In response to the spate of recent emergencies, the Ministry of Civil Aviation held an emergency meeting to reassess safety frameworks, aircraft maintenance routines, and reliability across the commercial fleet. A government source told PTI that enhanced scrutiny is being applied industry-wide.
For context, “Mayday” is an internationally recognised emergency distress signal used when an aircraft is facing a life-threatening situation. The term, typically repeated three times — “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” — is designed to stand out during radio transmissions, indicating immediate need for help.
