IndiGo Flight Declares ‘Fuel Mayday’, Diverts to Bengaluru Due to Chennai Airport Congestion

By A Staff Reporter

In a concerning incident on Thursday evening, IndiGo flight 6E 6764 traveling from Guwahati to Chennai was compelled to divert to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after the pilot issued a ‘fuel mayday’ — a rare emergency declaration indicating that the aircraft was running critically low on fuel.

Sources said the flight, carrying passengers from Guwahati, encountered heavy congestion at Chennai airport, which led to extended holding patterns in the air. As the aircraft remained in a holding pattern longer than anticipated, the pilot assessed that fuel levels were approaching the minimum safe threshold, prompting the emergency declaration.

The flight landed safely in Bengaluru at approximately 8:15 PM, with no injuries reported. Passengers were deboarded and arrangements were made to transport them to Chennai, either via alternative flights or ground transportation.

Aviation safety experts noted that declaring a fuel mayday is a serious measure, used only when a pilot determines the aircraft no longer has enough fuel reserves to reach the intended destination or alternate airport without prioritization.