An IndiGo flight from Guwahati to Chennai issued a rare ‘Mayday’ call due to low fuel and was diverted to Bengaluru
Panic at 35,000 Feet: What Happened on Indigo Flight 6E-6764
IndiGo Flight Fuel Crisis – On the evening of June 20, 2025, passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6764, traveling from Guwahati to Chennai, experienced a harrowing ordeal when the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Bengaluru due to critically low fuel levels. The Airbus A321, carrying 168 passengers, had taken off from Guwahati at 4:40 PM and was scheduled to land in Chennai around 7:45 PM.
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However, as the aircraft attempted to land in Chennai, the pilot initiated a ‘go-around’ maneuver, a procedure known as a balked landing, after the landing gear briefly touched the runway. Instead of attempting a second approach, the pilot diverted the aircraft toward Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Approximately 35 miles from Bengaluru, the captain issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, signaling a life-threatening emergency due to insufficient fuel.
The aircraft landed safely at 8:20 PM, with emergency services on standby. No injuries were reported, but the sudden and steep climb during the go-around left many passengers visibly shaken.
Behind the Emergency: Fuel Planning or Protocol Failure?
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny over flight planning and operational protocols. According to aviation sources, the aircraft may not have had the mandatory minimum diversion fuel required to safely reroute after a failed landing attempt. While IndiGo initially cited “traffic congestion” at Chennai airport as the reason for the diversion, Chennai ATC officials disputed this, stating that the airspace was clear at the time.
Aviation experts have raised concerns about whether the flight crew had adequate situational awareness and whether the airline’s fuel management systems were functioning optimally. The fact that both pilots were reportedly taken off the roster pending investigation suggests that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may be preparing for a deeper probe.
Adding to the complexity, the same day saw multiple flight disruptions across India, including an IndiGo flight to Leh and an Air India flight to Vietnam, both of which returned to their origin cities due to technical issues. The Civil Aviation Ministry has since convened a high-level review meeting to assess safety protocols and operational reliability across carriers.
Passenger Reactions and Industry Fallout
Passengers onboard flight 6E-6764 described the experience as “terrifying”, with some reporting that the steep climb post-aborted landing left them “on the edge of their seats.” After landing in Bengaluru, the aircraft was refueled, and a new set of pilots flew the plane to Chennai, where it landed at 11:25 PM.
The incident has reignited public debate over aviation safety standards in India. While IndiGo has yet to issue a detailed statement, industry observers are calling for greater transparency and stricter enforcement of fuel planning norms. The DGCA is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days.
Meanwhile, social media has been abuzz with reactions ranging from relief over the safe landing to outrage over the potential risk. Aviation watchdogs and passenger rights groups are demanding that airlines prioritize safety over scheduling efficiency, especially in light of recent tragedies like the AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.
Conclusion:
The emergency landing of IndiGo flight 6E-6764 is a wake-up call for India’s aviation sector. While the crew’s quick thinking averted disaster, the underlying issues, fuel planning, communication gaps, and operational oversight, must be addressed with urgency. In the high-stakes world of aviation, there’s no room for error when lives are in the sky.
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