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An IndiGo flight bound for Kolkata was abruptly forced to abort takeoff at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday after a suspected bird strike triggered a technical alert. The incident, involving Flight 6E 6101, occurred just minutes before scheduled departure, leading to swift intervention by the pilot and ground authorities.
According to reports from India Today, the pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) of a potential technical snag while the aircraft was on the runway. Acting immediately, ATC instructed the flight to abort takeoff. The aircraft was then safely towed back to the parking bay, and all passengers were disembarked.
“While the aircraft is undergoing necessary assessments before resuming operations, an alternative aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight,” IndiGo said in an official statement.
“We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers due to this unforeseen reason and all efforts are being made to minimise it, including offering them refreshments and sharing regular updates about the flight. At IndiGo, safety and security of our customers and crew are of utmost importance,” it added.
Passengers Shifted to Alternate Flight
An alternative aircraft was arranged promptly, and passengers were shifted onto the new flight, which departed later in the day for Kolkata. Airport authorities said there was no panic and that standard deplaning protocols were followed smoothly.
Earlier Incident in Raipur Highlights Safety Concerns
Coincidentally, another IndiGo flight faced a technical snag earlier that same day at Raipur’s Veer Narayan International Airport.
A Delhi–Raipur flight that landed on time at 2:25 pm was unable to disembark passengers due to a jammed exit door. The malfunction left passengers, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, MLA Chaturi Nand, and Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, stuck inside the aircraft for nearly 40 minutes.
Ground engineers were rushed in and managed to open the door after extensive troubleshooting. All passengers exited safely, and no injuries or health issues were reported. The affected aircraft is now undergoing a detailed technical inspection before being cleared for future operations.
While IndiGo maintained that both situations were handled professionally and safely, the twin incidents in a single day have raised concerns about recurring technical issues.
