This image depicts an IndiGo flight safely landing at Bengaluru airport, similar to the recent Guwahati-Chennai flight that was diverted due to a 'fuel mayday' call. It illustrates the successful resolution of an in-flight incident, emphasizing aviation safety protocols.
BENGALURU/GREATER NOIDA: In an incident that has once again placed Indian aviation safety under the microscope, an IndiGo flight (6E-6764) traveling from Guwahati to Chennai was forced to divert to Bengaluru and make an emergency landing after the pilot declared a ‘fuel mayday’. The event, which occurred on Thursday, June 20, 2025, highlights the complex interplay of air traffic management and critical fuel reserves.
The Airbus A321, carrying 168 passengers, departed Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at approximately 4:40 PM, with Chennai International Airport (MAA) as its intended destination. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Chennai around 7:45 PM. However, upon approaching Chennai, the aircraft encountered significant air traffic congestion, preventing it from obtaining immediate landing clearance.
Reports indicate that after an initial attempt to land in Chennai was aborted – a manoeuvre known as a “go-around” or “balked landing” – the pilot made the critical decision to divert to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru. It was approximately 35 minutes before its eventual landing in Bengaluru that the pilot transmitted a “fuel mayday” signal to Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Understanding ‘Fuel Mayday’: More Than Just Low Fuel
A ‘fuel mayday’ is a serious distress call in aviation, distinct from a standard ‘mayday’ which signifies an immediate threat to life on board. In the context of fuel, it means the aircraft’s fuel reserves have fallen to a point where it can no longer safely divert to an alternative airport with standard contingency margins. Essentially, the flight is committed to landing at a specific aerodrome and cannot accept further delays. While alarming, it does not necessarily mean the aircraft is on the verge of running out of fuel entirely, but rather that it requires priority landing to ensure it lands with its mandatory final reserve fuel intact.
Bengaluru ATC responded swiftly to the declaration, granting priority landing to IndiGo flight 6E-6764. Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, were deployed as a standard precautionary measure. The aircraft touched down safely at Bengaluru at 8:15 PM, with all passengers deplaning without any reported injuries.
Following the safe landing, passengers were provided with refreshments. The aircraft was refueled, and a fresh crew was assigned due to the original crew’s Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). The flight subsequently departed for Chennai, arriving around 11:25 PM, approximately two hours behind its original schedule.
While IndiGo has yet to release a detailed official statement, airline sources confirmed the “fuel mayday” call and attributed the diversion to the congestion at Chennai Airport. However, some reports suggest that Chennai ATC officials have reportedly disputed the extent of the congestion, prompting further investigation into the circumstances, including whether the aircraft was carrying the required amount of diversion fuel after the initial go-around. Both pilots involved in the incident have been de-rostered as per standard safety protocols, pending a full inquiry.
This incident comes at a sensitive time for Indian aviation, following other recent events that have heightened public and regulatory scrutiny of safety standards. Passengers onboard the diverted flight described feeling unsettled by the abrupt ascent during the aborted landing in Chennai.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other competent authorities have been informed and are expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter, examining fuel planning, ATC coordination, and the decision-making process during the flight to ensure the continued safety of air travel in India.
