IndiGo Flight from Guwahati to Chennai Declares Fuel Mayday, Diverted to Bengaluru
An IndiGo flight from Guwahati to Chennai, carrying 168 passengers, declared a “fuel Mayday” and was diverted to Bengaluru on Thursday due to low fuel caused by congestion at Chennai airport. The Airbus A321, flight 6E6764, landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport after the pilot’s distress call. In a separate incident on Friday, an IndiGo flight to Madurai returned to Chennai 30 minutes after takeoff due to a technical issue. Both incidents prompted investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Flight 6E6764 departed Guwahati at 4:40 pm on Thursday, aiming to land in Chennai by 7:45 pm. Unable to secure landing clearance due to heavy air traffic, the pilot attempted a landing but performed a “balked landing,” aborting touchdown. After circling Chennai, the aircraft’s fuel levels became critically low, prompting a “Mayday” call at 8:11 pm to Bengaluru’s Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The flight landed safely in Bengaluru at 8:15 pm. Passengers were deplaned, provided refreshments, and the plane was refueled. The flight resumed its journey at 10:24 pm, landing normally in Chennai. The DGCA was informed, and an investigation into fuel management is underway.
In Friday’s incident, IndiGo flight 6E2006 to Madurai, carrying over 60 passengers, took off from Chennai at 7:55 am. A technical snag forced the crew to return as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely in Chennai, with no injuries reported. IndiGo has not officially commented, but the DGCA is probing both events.
A Bengaluru ATC official told Hindustan Times, “The Mayday call was handled swiftly. Fire and medical teams were on standby, ensuring passenger safety.” IndiGo’s pilots from the Guwahati flight have been derostered pending investigation, as per standard protocol.
The incidents follow a turbulent period for Indian aviation. On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 274 people after issuing a Mayday call. Earlier, on May 23, an IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar flight faced severe turbulence, prompting a DGCA probe. In 2023, IndiGo reported four tail strikes, leading to a Rs 30 lakh fine.
The incidents highlight growing scrutiny of India’s aviation sector, with the Civil Aviation Ministry reviewing safety protocols on June 19. As air traffic rises, experts urge stricter fuel reserve guidelines to prevent such emergencies.
