Akasa Air Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar Flight Diverted to Lucknow Due to Bad Weather

An Akasa Air flight operating between Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar was diverted to Lucknow after adverse weather conditions prevented a safe landing at the destination airport.

According to the airline, flight QP 1503, which operated on May 27, 2026, followed all established operational and safety protocols during the diversion process.

An Akasa Air spokesperson said, “Akasa Air flight QP 1503 operating from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar on 27 May 2026 was diverted to Lucknow due to adverse weather conditions, which were not favourable for landing. The pilot followed all established operational and safety protocols in line with standard procedures.”

The airline later resumed operations after weather conditions improved, and the aircraft successfully completed its journey.

“The flight subsequently departed from Lucknow and landed safely in Bhubaneswar at 00:02 hrs on 28 May 2026,” the spokesperson added.

Why was the Akasa Air flight diverted?

The diversion was caused by adverse weather conditions in Bhubaneswar that made landing unsafe at the scheduled time.

In aviation, flight diversions due to poor visibility, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or strong winds are standard precautionary measures taken to prioritise passenger and crew safety.

Airlines and pilots are required to follow strict operational guidelines in such situations, including rerouting aircraft to alternate airports with suitable weather and runway conditions.

What did Akasa Air say about passenger safety?

Akasa Air stressed that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority throughout the incident.

“At Akasa Air, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority. We regret the inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control and appreciate our passengers' understanding,” the airline spokesperson said.

The airline did not report any injuries or operational issues during the diversion and confirmed that the flight landed safely after resuming its journey from Lucknow.

What happened on the IndiGo flight in Bengaluru?

In a separate aviation incident, an IndiGo flight operating from Bengaluru to Chennai was evacuated after smoke was detected inside the aircraft while it was taxiing for departure.

According to the airline, flight 6E 6017 experienced a safety alert on May 26, 2026, prompting immediate precautionary measures.

An IndiGo spokesperson said, “On 26 May 2026, while IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was taxing out to the runway for departure, smoke was noticed in the aircraft. In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out, and all the relevant authorities were informed.”

The evacuation was conducted while the aircraft was still on the ground, allowing passengers and crew to exit safely.

Were passengers and crew safe in the IndiGo incident?

IndiGo confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe following the evacuation.

The airline stated, “All customers and crew are safe and have been moved to the terminal, where they are being attended to by our teams to ensure their well-being. An alternate aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight, which will depart shortly, and refreshments are being served to the customers to ease their wait time.”

The airline also arranged an alternate aircraft to minimise disruption to passenger travel plans.

How do airlines handle such aviation safety incidents?

Both incidents highlight the aviation sector’s reliance on standard operating procedures designed to manage emergencies and minimise risk.

In weather-related situations, pilots may delay or divert flights if landing conditions are unsafe. In technical or onboard safety alerts such as smoke detection, airlines are trained to carry out rapid evacuations and coordinate with airport authorities.

Such protocols are internationally mandated and are intended to prioritise passenger and crew safety above operational schedules.

(With inputs from ANI)