Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 6: An IndiGo flight bound for Abu Dhabi made a safe emergency return to Kochi in the early hours of Saturday after a technical glitch was detected mid-air.
The Airbus A320neo, operating as flight 6E 1403, had over 180 passengers and six crew members onboard when the pilots opted to turn back shortly after takeoff. The aircraft landed safely at 1:44 am at Cochin International Airport, the airline confirmed.
IndiGo said the return was a precautionary measure, and the affected aircraft is now undergoing maintenance checks.
A replacement aircraft with a fresh crew was quickly arranged to ensure passengers could continue their journey to Abu Dhabi without significant delay. IndiGo also provided meals and refreshments during the wait.
“We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and made all possible efforts to minimise it. At IndiGo, we remain committed to the safety and security of our passengers and crew,” the airline said in an official statement.
This incident comes after a series of similar technical events involving IndiGo flights in recent months:
• In August, a Surat–Dubai flight was diverted to Ahmedabad after a technical issue mid-air.
• In July, a Delhi–Goa flight made an emergency landing in Mumbai after suffering engine failure mid-flight.
In all cases, the flights landed safely and no injuries were reported.