IndiGo flight faces close call amid cyclone Fengal at Chennai airport

Cyclone Fengal brought adverse weather conditions that led to the suspension of operations at Chennai airport until 4 am on Sunday. Amid these challenging circumstances, an IndiGo airlines Airbus A320 neo had a close call during its landing attempt on Saturday evening.

Flight's Close Call Captured in Viral Video

A viral video shared by an aviation account on X showed the IndiGo flight struggling to land on the runway. Just as the plane was about to touch down, it had to abort the landing and take off again due to the adverse weather. The video has garnered over one lakh views, with many users reacting to the tense moment.

Aviation Account's Report

The aviation account reported, "Challenging conditions at Chennai International airport as Cyclone Fengal makes landfall near Puducherry and is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coasts in the next three to four hours." The cyclone has brought heavy rains, inundating houses and hospitals in the coastal districts.

Official Statements

The Chennai airport authorities issued a notice stating the suspension of operations until 4 am on December 1, 2024, after consultations with AAI Headquarters and feedback from stakeholders. Passengers were advised to check with their respective airlines regarding their flights.

As the video went viral, an IndiGo spokesperson issued a statement explaining that the cockpit crew of flight 6E-683, operating between Mumbai and Chennai, had executed a "go-around" on November 30. This maneuver is a standard safety protocol performed when a safe landing cannot be achieved. The spokesperson emphasized that the pilots are extensively trained to handle such situations professionally.

Cyclone Fengal's Impact

Cyclone Fengal crossed the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts late on Saturday night, completing the landfall process around 2 am on Sunday. According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone is expected to move westwards slowly and gradually weaken into a deep depression over the north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Relief Operations

The Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), began relief operations after 6 am on Sunday. The Chennai airport resumed operations post-4 am, but there were complaints of delayed and canceled flights from several passengers.

For the latest updates on Cyclone Fengal and flight operations, stay tuned to our live coverage.