News Reporter
From Guwahati Dreams to Dhaka Reality: IndiGo's Weather-Forced Detour Unravels
Guwahati, January 15, 2024: In an unforeseen turn of events, an IndiGo flight en route from Mumbai to Guwahati faced unexpected challenges, resulting in a detour and an emergency landing in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The diversion was triggered by adverse weather conditions and low visibility at the intended Guwahati airport.
The flight, initially scheduled to reach Guwahati at 11:10 PM, found itself landing in Dhaka at 4 AM on Saturday. The pilot considered Kolkata as an alternative landing site initially, but unfavorable weather conditions hindered that plan. Consequently, the flight was redirected to Bhubaneswar, where a closed runway posed another obstacle. Ultimately, the decision was made to make an emergency landing in Dhaka, the closest available airport.
IndiGo promptly issued an official statement confirming the diversion, citing bad weather in Guwahati as the primary reason. In response to the unexpected circumstances, the airline took swift action to ensure the well-being of stranded passengers. A new crew was arranged for the return flight to Guwahati. The statement expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers and acknowledged the operational challenges faced during the diversion.
Throughout the ordeal, passengers were kept informed of developments and provided with refreshments onboard.
Among the passengers was Congress leader Suraj Sing Thakur, who shared his experience, revealing the flight's struggle to land in Guwahati due to dense fog. The unexpected landing in Dhaka left passengers in Bangladesh, prompting humorous responses from Congress members. They highlighted the unusual international journey at a domestic cost and expressed hope for a swift return to Manipur for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
In response, IndiGo expressed regret for the inconvenience, attributing the diversion to uncontrollable weather conditions. The airline assured passengers of ongoing assistance and appreciated their understanding.
According to a flight tracking website, the flight, initially scheduled to depart from Mumbai at 8:20 PM, experienced a three-hour delay before taking off at 11:20 PM. The unexpected events led to the diversion, causing disruption to passengers' travel plans and testing the airline's ability to manage unforeseen challenges.