An IndiGo flight (6E6764) traveling from Guwahati to Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru on Thursday after the pilot declared a ‘fuel Mayday’ due to low fuel levels. According to sources, the aircraft was unable to land at Chennai airport because of heavy air traffic congestion.
The IndiGo Flight had taken off as per schedule from Guwahati. However, as it approached Chennai, the pilot was not granted landing clearance due to runway congestion. The aircraft circled the Chennai airspace before the pilot decided to divert the flight to Bengaluru. At around 8:11 PM, the pilot alerted Bengaluru’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the fuel emergency and landed the plane safely.
IndiGo Flight Declares Fuel Mayday, Diverts to Bengaluru
An IndiGo flight (6E 6764) flying from Guwahati to Chennai made an emergency diversion to Bengaluru on Thursday evening after the pilot declared a rare “fuel Mayday” due to dangerously low fuel. The Airbus A321, which took off at 4:40 PM from Guwahati, could not land in Chennai because of heavy air traffic congestion, according to sources.
With passengers onboard, the situation caused panic as the aircraft circled Chennai but couldn’t receive landing clearance. The pilot then chose to divert to Bengaluru, where the IndiGo Flight safely landed at Kempegowda International Airport at 8:15 PM.
Reports say the aircraft was about 35 nautical miles from Bengaluru when the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) with a Mayday call, the most serious type of emergency alert in aviation. The call indicated a critical fuel shortage.
Bengaluru ATC responded immediately, coordinating with ground teams to ensure a safe landing. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were unharmed, though many were visibly shaken by the ordeal. Authorities have removed both pilots from duty while a detailed investigation is underway.
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What is a Fuel Mayday?
A Mayday call is used when there is an emergency that could risk the lives of those on board. In this case, the pilot declared a “fuel Mayday”, meaning the aircraft had so little fuel left that it could not wait any longer and needed to land immediately.
Chennai Airport Congestion Blamed
Initial reports suggest that the main reason behind the emergency was heavy congestion at Chennai Airport. Sources say that the pilot made one attempt to land but couldn’t because of the traffic. Instead of trying again, the pilot chose to divert the IndiGo Flight to Bengaluru, as fuel levels were already low.
Investigation Has Begun
As per normal safety rules, both pilots have been removed from duty until a complete investigation is finished. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which oversees flight safety in India, has been informed. They are expected to check:
- Whether the fuel planning was correct
- How well the air traffic was managed
- The decisions made by the pilots during the flight
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Recent Air Crash Raises More Worries
This incident has come just days after a tragic air crash involving Air India Flight AI-171. That flight was going from Ahmedabad to London but crashed shortly after takeoff. 241 people died, and only one passenger survived, making it one of the worst plane crashes in India in recent years.
Although everyone on board the IndiGo flight was safe, this emergency has made people more worried about:
- Airport traffic management
- Emergency preparedness
- Safety standards in India’s rapidly growing aviation industry
This incident serves as a serious reminder of the importance of efficient air traffic management, timely decision-making, and strict safety protocols in aviation. While all passengers were safely landed, the emergency has sparked renewed concern over flight safety standards and emergency preparedness in India’s increasingly busy skies.
