Patna: An IndiGo Airlines flight travelling from Kolkata to Patna was diverted to Lucknow on Friday evening after repeated failed landing attempts caused by adverse weather conditions over the Bihar capital.
Airport officials said the aircraft circled in the skies above Patna six times before the pilot sought permission from air traffic control at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport for an emergency diversion.
The plane landed safely in Lucknow at around 5.15pm after clearance was granted.
Poor Visibility Disrupts Landing
According to airport sources, IndiGo flight 6E-6917 departed Kolkata at 2.50pm carrying 180 passengers, five infants and six crew members.
After reaching Patna, deteriorating weather conditions, rain and poor visibility disrupted landing operations.
Officials said the pilot repeatedly kept the aircraft in a holding pattern near the airport while waiting for weather conditions to improve.
However, after several unsuccessful attempts, the decision was taken to divert the aircraft to Lucknow.
Passengers reportedly expressed relief after the safe landing.
Flight Delayed Due To Crew Duty Hours
Following arrival in Lucknow, the duty period for the pilot and cabin crew ended, preventing the aircraft from immediately resuming operations.
Airport officials said the flight later departed for Patna at 7.18pm after replacement crew members arrived aboard another IndiGo flight.
Recent Weather Turbulence Raises Concerns
The incident comes days after another Delhi-to-Patna flight encountered severe turbulence due to bad weather earlier this week.
That aircraft was also diverted to Lucknow after experiencing intense air turbulence while approaching Patna.
Former Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who was piloting the aircraft, later informed passengers after landing safely: “You may now applaud, for we have landed safely.”
A passenger video from that incident later circulated widely on social media.
Aviation officials said weather-related turbulence and diversions remain relatively uncommon but can occur during periods of severe atmospheric instability and low visibility.
