Air India flight AI2455 experienced technical difficulties and adverse weather, leading to its diversion to Chennai. The flight landed safely at Chennai Airport, where essential inspections will be conducted. Onboard were five MPs—KC Venugopal, Kodikunnil Suresh, Adoor Prakash, K. Radhakrishnan, and Robert Bruce—travelling to Delhi.
Congress leader and MP KC Venugopal shared the incident on social media, stating that the flight was delayed at the start, and shortly after takeoff, faced unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the captain announced a fault in the flight signal and diverted the plane to Chennai.
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According to Venugopal, the plane circled above Chennai Airport for nearly two hours, awaiting clearance. During the first landing attempt, there was a startling moment—reports claimed another aircraft was on the same runway. The captain's quick judgment pulled the plane up, ensuring the passengers' safety with a secure landing on the second attempt.
Passenger safety should not rely on luck - KC Venugopal
The Congress MP stated, "Both skill and luck saved us, but passenger safety should not rely on luck. I urge the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry to promptly investigate, determine responsibility, and ensure such oversights never occur again."
Air India denies presence of another aircraft on runway
Air India dismissed KC Venugopal's claims regarding another aircraft's presence on the runway. The airline responded to the Congress MP's post, clarifying that the diversion to Chennai was a precaution due to a suspected technical issue and adverse weather conditions. During the first landing attempt at Chennai Airport, Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructed a "go-around," and it was not due to another aircraft's presence on the runway.
Air India noted, "Our pilots are fully trained to handle such situations, and standard procedures were followed throughout the flight. We understand this experience might have been unsettling, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by this diversion. However, passenger and crew safety remains our top priority. Thank you for your understanding."
Air India issues statement
In an official statement, Air India did not mention any issues caused by another aircraft on the runway during landing. The airline only cited technical problems and weather as reasons for the diversion. The flight had departed from Thiruvananthapuram for Delhi on August 10.
Air India apologized for the inconvenience and mentioned that their team in Chennai is providing every possible assistance to passengers, arranging alternative options to help them reach their destinations promptly. The spokesperson emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains the company's utmost priority.
