Patna: Flight operations at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport were severely disrupted on Thursday afternoon following a sudden change in weather conditions. A heavy thunderstorm accompanied by lightning struck the city, forcing multiple flights to divert and delaying several others.
Air traffic came to a partial halt after 2:30 PM, with airport authorities halting landings due to safety concerns arising from continuous lightning activity.
Flights Diverted Mid-Air
According to airport sources, Air India’s Delhi-Patna flight (AI-407) circled over Patna for nearly an hour before being diverted to Varanasi, as Air Traffic Control (ATC) deemed landing unsafe. Similarly, IndiGo’s Kolkata-Patna flight (6E-6917) made multiple rounds before being rerouted to Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Durgapur.
Both aircraft were reportedly denied clearance to land even after making seven rounds over the airport.
Delays Across Multiple Routes
Other flights also experienced delays ranging from 27 minutes to over an hour due to the inclement weather:
- Mumbai-Patna (IndiGo): Arrived 1 hour 24 minutes late.
- Ranchi-Patna (6E-925): Delayed by 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Delhi-Patna (6E-5641): Reached 1 hour 8 minutes late.
- Hyderabad-Patna (6E-6223): Landed 57 minutes late.
- Kolkata-Patna (6E-895): Arrived 28 minutes behind schedule.
Passengers at the terminal reported long waiting times, with announcements confirming delays and diversions due to “severe weather activity and safety protocol compliance.”
Airlines Advise Caution
Airlines have advised passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and to remain prepared for potential changes in schedules due to unpredictable weather.
Meteorological authorities have forecast continued instability in weather across parts of Bihar over the next 24 hours, urging both travellers and authorities to stay alert.
