Monday, July 21, 2025
On July 20, 2025, IndiGo flight from Tirupati to Hyderabad was forced to make a U-turn 35-minutes after take-off due to a technical failure. Passengers into turmoil The incident not only traumatised passengers, but also derailed their plans as the flight that was supposed to land in Hyderabad, had to return here for safety inspection. The airline organised alternate travel immediately to avoid unnecessary inconvenience but the incident underlined the urgency of addressing any technical problem to ensure the safety of passengers.
IndiGo Tirupati to Hyderabad Flight U-Turn
Flight 6E6591 was the final scheduled service from Tirupati to Hyderabad for the day, leaving passengers stranded at the airport after its unscheduled return. This caused significant inconvenience to passengers who had hoped to complete their journey. IndiGo’s ground staff promptly informed the passengers that they would need to vacate the airport as no further flights to Hyderabad were available that evening.
IndiGo took immediate action to minimize disruption by arranging an alternative flight for the affected passengers, scheduled to depart the following morning at 8:20 AM. This move allowed passengers to continue their travel plans with minimal delay, addressing the inconvenience caused by the unexpected return.
The aircraft involved in the incident, an Airbus A321neo, was delivered to IndiGo in December 2019, and it has been in service for 5.6 years. The aircraft was built at Airbus’ Hamburg (XFW) facility and originally bore the test registration D-AYAL before being added to the IndiGo fleet. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines and is configured in an all-economy layout with 222 seats, providing passengers with a comfortable flying experience.
Although the precise technical reason behind the flight’s return has not yet been disclosed, IndiGo has confirmed that a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft is currently underway. The airline assured the public that this inspection is being conducted to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness before it resumes service.
A Similar Incident Involving IndiGo
In a similar scenario just a few days earlier, another IndiGo flight, 6E6271, traveling from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX), experienced a technical issue mid-flight, which led the pilot to declare a “PAN-PAN” alert. This alert is a global distress signal signifying an urgent situation that is not life-threatening.
The Airbus A320neo, with 191 passengers aboard, was mid-flight when the pilot identified a problem with engine number one. As a precaution, the pilot diverted the flight to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). The event occurred on July 16, 2025, about 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar (BBI), with the aircraft safely arriving in Mumbai at 9:53 PM. Emergency response services were immediately on standby, but fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the passengers, as well as the crew, remained unharmed throughout the ordeal.
The decision to divert to Mumbai was made in full adherence to safety protocols, ensuring that the aircraft was redirected to the nearest major airport, which was equipped to handle the emergency. The pilot’s decision was carefully calculated to prioritize passenger safety above all else, with emergency response teams, including fire trucks and ambulances, positioned at Mumbai Airport for a swift response.
IndiGo Airlines clarified that the diversion was due to a technical malfunction detected mid-flight and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its passengers. Once the aircraft safely landed, emergency services took over and conducted inspections while the flight crew was medically checked as a precaution. IndiGo also confirmed that a full technical evaluation would be conducted before the aircraft resumed operations, and alternative arrangements were made to transport passengers to their intended destinations.
Other Recent Technical Issues in Indian Aviation
This incident with IndiGo highlights a broader pattern of technical issues faced by airlines in India. In one such case, a SpiceJet flight traveling from Pune (PNQ) to Delhi (DEL) had to abort its takeoff after a technical fault was detected. TThe plane remained grounded for more than nine hours, with passengers staying onboard for almost an hour before they were allowed to disembark. This caused significant delays and discomfort for those aboard the flight.
Additionally, another IndiGo flight, 6E7295, was forced to return to Indore (IDR) shortly after takeoff when a technical fault was detected. The flight had covered approximately 60 nautical miles before the pilot made the decision to turn back, once again prioritizing the safety of the passengers and crew.
These incidents underline the importance of rigorous maintenance checks and the operational challenges that airlines face while ensuring the airworthiness of their fleets. They also highlight the critical role of pilots and crew members in making quick, informed decisions to safeguard the lives of everyone aboard.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance and Rigorous Safety Protocols
These recent incidents illustrate the crucial need for airlines to maintain rigorous maintenance schedules and to stay ahead of potential technical issues before they affect flights. Aviation experts emphasize the importance of thorough pre-flight checks and continuous monitoring of aircraft systems to identify potential issues before they become critical. Airlines across the world, including those in India, are increasingly focusing on improving their maintenance procedures and systems to prevent these kinds of occurrences.
Furthermore, the response of both the airline crews and the ground staff has been exemplary in these situations. By following established safety protocols and maintaining clear communication with passengers, airlines like IndiGo are demonstrating their commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence, despite the challenges they may face.
An IndiGo flight from Tirupati to Hyderabad was forced to return to Tirupati after just 35 minutes due to a technical malfunction, disrupting passenger travel plans. The return was necessary for safety reasons, and alternative arrangements were made for affected passengers.
Such unfortunate technical errors should remind us still how that story is a complicated one, how much care and preparation that modern aviation requires, to maintain safety in the air. The safety of all those involved remains everyone’s top priority!” The safety of everyone (airlines, passengers, public) has to continue to stay #1 and we have to be ready for everything and anything.
