‘Harrowing journey’: Air India flight with K C Venugopal makes emergency diversion; Trivandrum–Delhi flight lands in Chennai | India News
NEW DELHI: An Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi was diverted to Chennai on Sunday after the crew detected a suspected technical fault amid adverse weather conditions en route. The airline confirmed that flight AI2455 landed safely in Chennai and that the aircraft would undergo necessary checks.“The flight crew of AI2455 operating from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi on 10 August made a precautionary diversion to Chennai due to a suspected technical issue and given the weather conditions enroute. The flight landed safely in Chennai, where the aircraft will undergo the necessary checks. We regret the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers. Our colleagues on the ground in Chennai are extending support to the passengers to minimise it and are making alternative arrangements to fly the passengers to their respective destinations at the earliest,” an Air India spokesperson said.Congress leader KC Venugopal, who was on board, described the incident as a “harrowing journey”. In a post on X, he said, “Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi – carrying myself, several MPs, and hundreds of passengers – came frighteningly close to tragedy today. What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the Captain announced a flight signal fault and diverted to Chennai. For nearly two hours, we circled the airport awaiting clearance to land, until a heart-stopping moment during our first attempt – another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway. In that split second, the Captain’s quick decision to pull up saved every life on board. The flight landed safely on the second attempt. We were saved by skill and luck. Passenger safety cannot depend on luck. I urge @DGCAIndia and @MoCA_GoI to investigate this incident urgently, fix accountability, and ensure such lapses never happen again.”The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is yet to issue a statement on the matter.
