Congress MP Claims Near Collision On Chennai Runway, Air India Denies

Chennai: Did an Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi avert a major disaster after being diverted to Chennai late on Sunday?

According to Congress leader K C Venugopal, passengers on flight AI 2455, including several MPs, had a narrow escape while the plane was attempting to land at Chennai. The pilots pulled up at the last minute after realising that there was another aircraft on the runway. The flight was diverted to Chennai due to a technical snag.

Air India has accepted the diversion and the last minute decision to abort the landing, but denied that there was another aircraft on the runway.

The flight hit turbulence shortly after takeoff from Thiruvananthapuram. According to Flightradar24.com data, the flight took off around 8 pm from Thiruvananthapuram and landed in Chennai around 10.35 pm.

“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,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X.

According to the Congress general secretary, the flight was saved by luck and the pilot’s skill. He called for an investigation into the incident to fix accountability in the matter.

“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,” he added.

Air India responded to the MP’s post and said that the ‘go-around’ was instructed by the Chennai ATC.

“Dear Mr Venugopal, we would like to clarify that the diversion to Chennai was precautionary due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions. A go-around was instructed by Chennai ATC during the first attempted landing at Chennai airport, not because of the presence of another aircraft on the runway,” Air India posted.

“Our pilots are well-trained to handle such situations, and in this case, they followed standard procedures throughout the flight. We understand that such an experience can be unsettling and regret the inconvenience the diversion may have caused to you. However, safety is always our priority. Thank you for your understanding,” the airline added.

According to an Air India spokesperson, the diversion was necessary due to bad weather and a suspected technical glitch.

“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 en route. 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,” the spokesperson said.