New Delhi: An IndiGo flight from Agartala to Delhi was diverted to Lucknow on Tuesday evening after a smoke warning indication was detected in the aircraft’s
cargo area, prompting the airport to activate its emergency response protocols as a precaution.
IndiGo flight 6E6504, carrying 103 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Lucknow Airport at 6:29 pm. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately after the aircraft arrived.
The airport activated its full emergency preparedness measures, with fire and rescue personnel, ambulances, medical teams, security staff and terminal support teams positioned to handle the situation and assist passengers and crew.
IndiGo flight diverted after cargo area warning
The diversion was carried out after the aircraft’s system indicated a possible smoke warning in the cargo area. The flight landed safely, and emergency teams were placed on standby as a precaution.
There was no immediate information indicating that an actual fire had broken out on the aircraft. The incident comes amid a similar occurrence involving another airline earlier this month.
Air India Express flight also diverted to Lucknow
On September 3, an Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Delhi also made a precautionary landing at Lucknow after a smoke detection alarm in its cargo hold was activated.
Flight IX 1253, carrying 155 passengers, took off from Varanasi at around 8 am. Shortly after departure, the cargo hold smoke alarm went off, prompting the pilot to contact Lucknow Air Traffic Control and request an emergency landing.
The aircraft landed safely at Lucknow Airport at 8:52 am. Airport emergency teams, fire brigade personnel and technical experts immediately attended to the aircraft.
All passengers and crew members were deboarded by 9:02 am, sources said.
An Air India Express spokesperson said the crew decided to divert the flight to Lucknow as a precaution after detecting a technical issue, with passenger safety being the priority.
The airline said passengers were provided refreshments and that an alternative aircraft was being arranged on priority to take them to Delhi.
The aircraft was later moved to a hangar for detailed inspection. Preliminary checks found no signs of smoke or fire, while an investigation was launched to establish what triggered the alarm.
