Hyderabad-Phuket Air India Express, Delhi-Goa IndiGo flights return to base after mid-air snags

In a series of incidents highlighting the strict adherence to safety protocols, an Air India Express flight from Hyderabad and an IndiGo flight from Delhi were both diverted recently due to technical issues, though all passengers on board were reported safe. On Saturday, Air India Express flight IX 110, bound for Phuket from Hyderabad, returned to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport shortly after takeoff. An airline spokesperson confirmed the crew exercised "abundant caution" due to a technical issue with the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which was airborne for only about 17 minutes. An alternative aircraft was promptly arranged, and the flight has since departed, minimizing inconvenience to the passengers.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar event on Wednesday, July 16, when an IndiGo flight 6E 6271 en route from Delhi to Goa was diverted to Mumbai after a technical snag, reportedly an engine failure, was detected mid-air. The Airbus A320neo, with the pilot declaring a 'PAN-PAN' urgency call, landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, where a full emergency was declared as a precautionary measure before being withdrawn shortly after. IndiGo also arranged an alternative aircraft to complete the journey for its customers.

Furthermore, on Thursday, July 17, another IndiGo flight, 6E-5118 from Delhi to Imphal, was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a minor technical snag. This Airbus A321 aircraft also landed safely, underwent necessary checks, and eventually resumed its journey. These multiple diversions underscore the airlines' and aviation authorities' commitment to prioritizing passenger safety by addressing technical glitches promptly, even if it causes delays and inconvenience to travelers.