KC Venugopal urges DGCA probe after Delhi-bound Air India flight faces turbulence, diversion, and a go-around at Chennai airport.
Turbulent Start to a Delayed Journey
A routine Air India flight from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi turned into a nerve-wracking ordeal for passengers on Sunday evening. Among them was Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, who later described the experience as “frighteningly close to tragedy.”
Flight AI 2455, already delayed at departure, was carrying several Members of Parliament when it encountered severe turbulence shortly after take-off.
Emergency Diversion to Chennai
According to Mr. Venugopal:
- The turbulence began soon after take-off.
- About an hour into the flight, the captain reported a flight signal fault.
- The aircraft was diverted to Chennai as a precaution.
- For nearly two hours, the plane circled the airport awaiting clearance to land.
During the first landing attempt, Venugopal claimed that another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway, prompting the captain to pull up instantly — a move he credited with saving lives. The second attempt was successful.
“We were saved by skill and luck,” Venugopal said, while stressing that passenger safety must not depend on luck alone.
Air India’s Clarification
Air India issued a statement to clarify details:
- The diversion was due to suspected technical issues and poor weather, not an imminent collision.
- The go-around was instructed by Chennai ATC, not because of another aircraft on the runway.
- Pilots followed standard safety protocols throughout the incident.
The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and reassured passengers that safety remains the top priority.
Flight Timeline
- 8:17 PM – Departed Thiruvananthapuram
- 10:35 PM – Landed in Chennai after diversion
- 1:40 AM – Departed Chennai
- 3:58 AM – Arrived in Delhi
DGCA’s Input
A day after the incident, DGCA sources revealed that the diversion was precautionary after Chennai ATC flagged runway debris.
Air India’s Recent Safety Concerns
This incident adds to a string of issues faced by the airline:
- June 12 crash killing 260 people (passengers and ground fatalities).
- Cockroach sighting reported by passengers on a San Francisco–Mumbai flight, to which Air India responded with an apology but called it an occasional occurrence despite fumigation.
As investigations by the DGCA and aviation authorities progress, questions remain over how such incidents can be prevented in the future. While the crew’s skill and timely decisions ensured everyone aboard AI 2455 reached their destination safely, the event adds to mounting concerns over Air India’s operational safety. Passengers and industry experts alike are calling for stricter safety checks, clearer communication, and swift corrective measures to restore confidence in India’s national carrier.
