IndiGo Flight Carrying 168 Passengers Diverts mid-air After ‘Mayday’ call

A Guwahati to Chennai Indigo flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Bengaluru after the pilot reported a low fuel emergency and sent out a Mayday call to air traffic control (ATC). Thankfully, all passengers and crew landed safely. The incident occurred last Thursday but only came to light on Sunday. This incident happened just days after the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad; another aviation scare unfolded — this time involving an IndiGo flight.

What is a Mayday Call?

According to reports, the pilot declared a Mayday — a distress signal used only in serious emergencies when no other options remain. The message was sent due to critically low fuel levels while approaching Chennai, prompting an immediate diversion to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Following standard procedure, ATC cleared the flight for a priority landing.

After the incident, the pilot was relieved from duty pending an investigation. Sending a Mayday is not taken lightly and indicates a potentially dangerous situation. Coincidentally, the Air India crash on June 12 also involved a Mayday call before the aircraft tragically went down in Ahmedabad’s Meghnanagar area, killing 241 of the 242 onboard.

DGCA Acts After Air India Crash

In the wake of the Air India tragedy, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action. It ordered Air India to remove three senior officials for what it described as "systemic failures" in crew scheduling and safety oversight. While the regulator didn’t directly link this move to the June 12 crash, it cited internal lapses revealed by the airline’s own disclosures.

Air India has confirmed compliance with the order, stating that it has implemented the recommended actions and remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards. The DGCA warned that any further violations could result in suspension of licenses and stricter penalties.