AI 2455 Flight Diverted to Chennai Due to Technical Issues and Weather; Congress MPs Claimed Near-Collision on Runway, Air India Denies Allegations, Citing Safety as Top Priority.
Thiruvananthapuram: Air India flight AI 2455, en route from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, was diverted to Chennai Airport due to adverse weather conditions and a technical issue. The flight carried several Congress MPs, including KC Venugopal. Following the incident, Congress MPs made serious allegations on social media, which Air India has refuted with a clarification.
Technical Malfunction and Turbulence During Flight
According to reports, AI 2455 was already delayed before takeoff. Shortly after departure, the aircraft experienced severe and unexpected turbulence. Congress MP KC Venugopal reported that approximately one hour into the flight, the captain announced a "flight signal fault." For safety reasons, the flight was diverted to Chennai.
Two-Hour Wait Over Chennai Airport
Venugopal claimed in a post on social media platform X that the aircraft waited for clearance over Chennai Airport for approximately two hours. He stated that during the initial landing attempt, another aircraft was already present on the runway, prompting the captain to immediately pull the aircraft up. The flight landed safely on the second attempt. Venugopal said that both "skill and luck" saved the passengers' lives in this incident, but safety should never be left to chance.
Support from Congress MP Manickam Tagore
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also shared Venugopal's post, stating that he was "shocked and scared." He reported that AI 2455 experienced turbulence, a flight signal fault, and a near-collision situation on the runway. Tagore tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, asserting that passenger safety cannot be left to luck and immediate action must be taken.
Air India's Official Clarification
Air India issued a statement refuting all allegations made by the Congress MPs. The airline stated that the diversion to Chennai was a precautionary measure taken due to a suspected technical issue and adverse weather conditions. During the first landing attempt, Chennai ATC instructed a go-around, but this was not due to another aircraft being on the runway.
The airline clarified that their pilots are trained to handle such situations and that all standard operating procedures were followed on this flight. They expressed regret that the incident was an uncomfortable experience for passengers and reiterated that safety is always their top priority.
Pilot Training and Standard Procedures
According to Air India, pilots receive extensive training to handle all types of emergencies and technical malfunctions. All procedures were followed in Chennai, ensuring passenger safety. The company stated that a go-around is a normal and safety-focused procedure in the airline industry, adopted for various reasons.
