IndiGo Guwahati-Chennai Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Bengaluru After Pilot’s ‘Fuel Mayday’ Call

On June 19, 2025, an IndiGo flight operating from Guwahati to Chennai was forced to make an emergency landing at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after the pilot declared a ‘fuel mayday’ due to critically low fuel levels. Flight 6E-6764, an Airbus A321 carrying 168 passengers, departed Guwahati at 4:40 p.m. and was scheduled to land in Chennai around 7:45 p.m.

As the aircraft approached Chennai, the pilot attempted to land but aborted the approach in a maneuver known as a ‘go-around’ or ‘balked landing’ after the landing gear briefly touched the runway. Due to congestion and delayed landing clearance at Chennai airport, the plane entered a holding pattern, which consumed more fuel than expected.

Approximately 35 nautical miles from Bengaluru, the pilot issued a ‘fuel mayday’ distress call to Air Traffic Control, requesting priority landing clearance. The flight diverted to Bengaluru, where it landed safely at 8:15 p.m. All passengers were deboarded without injury and provided refreshments during the stopover.

IndiGo confirmed that the ‘mayday’ was specifically a ‘fuel mayday’—a standard protocol signaling low fuel rather than an emergency caused by technical failure. The airline stated that passenger safety was never at risk.

Following the landing, the aircraft was refueled, and due to crew duty time limitations, a fresh crew took over for the onward flight to Chennai, departing around 10:30 p.m.

This incident has raised fresh concerns about aviation safety in India, coming shortly after a separate Air India crash near Ahmedabad. Both pilots involved in the IndiGo flight have reportedly been taken off active duty pending investigation.

Key Details:

• Flight: IndiGo 6E-6764 (Airbus A321)

• Route: Guwahati to Chennai

• Passengers: 168

• Departure: 4:40 p.m. from Guwahati

• Scheduled Chennai arrival: 7:45 p.m.

• Emergency landing: 8:15 p.m. at Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport

• Reason: Fuel mayday due to low fuel after aborted landing and holding pattern at Chennai

• Outcome: Safe landing, no injuries, passengers deboarded and refreshed

• Follow-up: Aircraft refueled; new crew operated onward flight to Chennai

The incident highlights challenges related to airport congestion and fuel management, prompting calls for review of operational protocols to ensure passenger safety.