Patna: Flight operations at Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport were severely disrupted on Wednesday evening after a sudden spell of strong winds, rain and poor visibility forced multiple diversions and delays.
Flights Diverted Mid-Air
An Air India flight (AI-1746) from Delhi to Patna was diverted to Varanasi after being unable to land due to adverse weather conditions.
The aircraft had departed on schedule at 5.45pm but was forced to circle for nearly 45 minutes over Patna before air traffic control denied landing clearance on safety grounds.
Similarly, an IndiGo flight (6E-895) from Kolkata was diverted to Lucknow due to hazardous landing conditions.
Delays Across Multiple Routes
Several other flights also experienced delays of around an hour, including services operated by SpiceJet from Mumbai, IndiGo from Delhi and Air India Express from Bengaluru.
Officials said persistent rainfall and gusty winds reduced visibility and made landing unsafe for incoming aircraft.
Passenger Disruption
Passengers faced long waits both in the air and at the airport, with those onboard diverted flights experiencing extended travel times and uncertainty.
Relatives waiting at the airport also had to endure delays as arrival schedules were pushed back.
Safety Priority
Airport authorities said diversions were carried out in accordance with standard safety protocols, emphasising that passenger safety remains the top priority during adverse weather conditions.
Operations gradually resumed as weather conditions improved later in the evening.
