IndiGo Flight Returns to Kochi After Technical Snag, Passengers Rebooked on New Aircraft

Kochi: An Abu Dhabi-bound IndiGo flight was compelled to return to Kochi early on Saturday after encountering a technical snag while in the air for more than two hours, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

Flight 6E-1403, carrying over 180 passengers and six crew members, departed Kochi at 11:10 pm on Friday. However, the aircraft returned at 1:44 am on Saturday following the technical issue. Passengers were subsequently accommodated on another IndiGo flight, which departed for Abu Dhabi around 3:30 am. A fresh crew was assigned for the onward journey as the original crew had exceeded flight duty time limits, sources added.

While IndiGo has not issued an immediate response regarding the incident, flight tracking platform Flightradar24.com confirmed that the aircraft involved was an Airbus A320 neo. Sources noted that the airline ensured all passengers reached their destination safely with minimal disruption.

This is not the first recent incident for the airline. Earlier on Tuesday, an IndiGo flight operating from Nagpur to Kolkata returned shortly after take-off following a bird strike. The flight, carrying between 160 and 165 passengers, returned to Nagpur airport as a precautionary measure, a senior airport official stated.

A spokesperson for IndiGo elaborated, “IndiGo flight 6E 812 operating from Nagpur to Kolkata on September 2 encountered a bird strike soon after take-off. As a precautionary step, pilots decided to turn back and the flight landed safely at the Nagpur airport.”

The spokesperson further added, “Due to the requirement of necessary inspection and maintenance of the aircraft, the flight has been cancelled for the day. To minimise inconvenience to our customers, we offered them refreshments, made alternate arrangements and/or a full refund on cancellation, if opted for.”