Mumbai-Varanasi Air India flight makes emergency landing in Bhubaneswar due to dense fog

A Mumbai–Varanasi Air India flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) on Friday after it failed to land at its destination due to dense fog and extremely low visibility conditions over Varanasi.

The aircraft was diverted as part of standard aviation safety protocols amid adverse weather, informed sources.

Airport sources said the flight was attempting to land at Varanasi when visibility dropped sharply because of heavy fog, making a safe landing impossible. Following this, air traffic control cleared the aircraft to divert to Bhubaneswar, where it landed safely.

Dense Fog Forces Diversion

BPIA authorities confirmed that the emergency landing was precautionary in nature and no injuries were reported. All passengers onboard were safely deplaned after arrival. The airline arranged accommodation and necessary assistance for stranded passengers as per aviation norms.

Sources said the fog over Varanasi was severe enough to disrupt landing operations for several incoming flights, leading to diversions and delays across the region.

Flight Cancellations From Bhubaneswar

The impact of fog was also felt locally, with at least three flights from Bhubaneswar reportedly cancelled due to weather-related disruptions affecting northern India. Airport authorities said flight operations remained subject to visibility conditions at destination airports.

ALSO READ: 228 flights cancelled, 400 delayed as dense fog reduces visibility in Delhi

Airlines Warn Of Wider Weather-Related Disruptions

The diversion comes amid widespread flight disruptions across northern and eastern India due to dense fog. Earlier in the day, airlines including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet issued travel advisories cautioning passengers about possible delays, cancellations, and diversions.

Air India stated that dense fog over Delhi and several parts of northern and eastern India could affect flight schedules and have cascading effects across its network. IndiGo also warned passengers travelling during early morning hours of delays due to low visibility, while SpiceJet said arrivals and departures in fog-affected regions could be impacted.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility in parts of northern India dropped to around 100 metres in the early hours, prompting activation of CAT III landing systems at major airports, including Delhi. Despite this, multiple flights were cancelled, and several others stand delayed.