IndiGo Guwahati-Chennai Flight Makes Emergency Landing

June 22, 2025

A potential aviation crisis was averted on Sunday as an IndiGo flight operating from Guwahati to Chennai encountered a mid-air technical snag, prompting immediate action from the flight crew and aviation authorities. The Airbus A320neo aircraft, carrying over 170 passengers, managed to land safely, averting what could have been a tragic incident.

This article provides a comprehensive look into the event, the timeline of the flight, reactions from passengers and authorities, and the larger context of airline safety in India.

The Incident: What Happened?

On the morning of June 22, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E-2589 took off from Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at approximately 8:40 AM, scheduled to land in Chennai around 11:45 AM. The flight began smoothly, and weather conditions were reported to be clear along most of the route.

However, approximately an hour and a half into the flight, while cruising at 35,000 feet, the aircraft’s onboard systems detected a technical fault in one of the engines. Sources within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that it was a “precautionary alert,” possibly linked to abnormal engine vibrations or an oil pressure drop in one of the Pratt & Whitney engines — a component that has had a history of safety advisories.

The cockpit crew, following standard operating procedures, declared a precautionary emergency and decided to divert the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport, which was Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Emergency Landing at Bhubaneswar

The flight was rerouted and landed safely in Bhubaneswar at around 10:20 AM. Emergency response teams, including fire brigades, ambulances, and security staff, were on standby as the plane made its landing. All 173 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

A statement from IndiGo read:

“Flight 6E-2589 operating between Guwahati and Chennai was diverted to Bhubaneswar as a precautionary measure due to a technical alert. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers were accommodated on a subsequent flight. Safety is our highest priority, and we regret the inconvenience caused to our customers.”

Passenger Reactions: “We Felt a Jerk, Then Silence”

Passengers on board the flight reported feeling “a sudden jerk” followed by what some described as an “unusual silence” in the cabin. One of the passengers, Ananya Rao, a tech employee traveling to Chennai for work, shared her experience:

“About halfway through the flight, there was a slight jolt, and we felt the aircraft slow down a bit. The pilot announced there was a technical issue and assured us we would be landing shortly in Bhubaneswar. The crew remained calm and guided us well.”

Another passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concern over the growing number of mid-air glitches reported in Indian aviation:

“It’s scary when you hear something’s wrong with the engine mid-air. Thankfully, the pilot managed it well, but it makes you question airline safety nowadays.”

Investigation Underway

The DGCA has launched a probe into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that the issue may have been related to one of the aircraft’s engines, although a full technical inspection is still ongoing. The affected aircraft has been grounded pending a detailed analysis.

An official from DGCA stated:

“Such precautionary landings, while rare, are crucial to ensuring the safety of all onboard. We are working with IndiGo and Pratt & Whitney to understand the root cause of the issue.”

IndiGo’s Fleet and Maintenance Track Record

IndiGo, India’s largest airline in terms of market share, operates a fleet of over 350 aircraft, the majority being Airbus A320neo and A321neo models. These aircraft are powered by engines from either CFM International or Pratt & Whitney.

While the airline has maintained a generally positive safety record, this incident has drawn attention to previous instances of technical alerts involving Pratt & Whitney engines — an issue that has affected multiple carriers globally.

Earlier in 2023, the DGCA had directed airlines to ground certain aircraft for inspections after multiple in-flight engine issues were reported. Although safety checks were intensified, recurring issues with these engines remain a concern in aviation circles.

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What Happens Now?

Following the emergency landing and successful evacuation, IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft for passengers, who resumed their journey to Chennai by late afternoon. Affected passengers were also offered compensation under DGCA norms.

The airline will now work closely with aircraft engineers, engine manufacturers, and the DGCA to ensure the issue is resolved and does not recur.

Safety Procedures That Saved the Day

Experts note that the incident underscores the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and pilot training. Aviation analyst and former Air India commander Captain Sanjay Sethi noted:

“What we witnessed was a textbook case of effective crisis management. The pilots didn’t panic, made the right decision to divert, and the crew followed emergency protocols. This is why recurrent training is so vital in aviation.”

Broader Industry Concerns: Is Indian Aviation Stretched Too Thin?

While the safety of commercial aviation in India is tightly regulated, the fast-paced growth of the airline industry and pressure on operational costs can sometimes result in challenges related to maintenance and turnaround times.

In recent years, the DGCA has ramped up random safety audits and enforced stricter airworthiness protocols, especially for low-cost carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Go First (now grounded).

A former DGCA official remarked:

“As airlines expand rapidly, especially post-COVID recovery, maintaining safety standards consistently becomes a challenge. Frequent audits and technological updates are the only way forward.”

What Should Passengers Know?

Despite the occasional news of mid-air incidents, air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, informed passengers can benefit by knowing some basic facts:

Always follow crew instructions during turbulence or emergencies.
Keep your seatbelt fastened while seated.
Pay attention to the safety demonstration.
In case of diversions or delays, know your rights under DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) rules for compensation and assistance.

Government and Aviation Bodies React

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and praising the pilot and crew of the flight:

“The professionalism displayed by the IndiGo cockpit and cabin crew in the face of a potential emergency is commendable. The Ministry supports DGCA’s decision to conduct a full investigation and will ensure all safety protocols are being followed.”

Meanwhile, civil aviation watchdogs from the United States and Europe are also monitoring the incident due to the aircraft engine’s manufacturer being U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call Without a Tragedy

The successful emergency landing of IndiGo’s Guwahati-Chennai flight is a reminder that despite advancements in aviation technology, technical glitches can still occur. What matters most is how well-prepared airlines are to handle them.