New Delhi – An IndiGo-operated Airbus A321 bearing flight number 6E‑5118, scheduled from Delhi to Imphal on July 17, encountered a minor technical issue shortly after takeoff and returned safely to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), airline officials confirmed . The aircraft departed IGI at approximately 10:25 AM and landed back around 11:16 AM.
What Happened?
Around 20 minutes into the flight, the pilots detected a minor technical anomaly and, in line with standard safety protocols, decided to turn back to Delhi as a precaution. Following a thorough inspection at the gate, confirmed by the airline, the aircraft was cleared to continue and eventually reached Imphal at around 2:53 PM—approximately one hour and forty minutes behind schedule .
IndiGo issued a statement expressing regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that “safety and security of [its] customers, crew and aircraft is of utmost importance” . No injuries were reported, and passengers were supported with assistance during the delay.
Recurring Glitch Pattern
This marks the second incident involving technical issues on IndiGo flights within 24 hours. On July 16, flight 6E‑6271 from Delhi to Goa declared a “PAN PAN” radio call due to an engine malfunction and was diverted safely to Mumbai . Industry observers have noted a clustering of such events involving both A320neo and A321 aircraft operated by the airline.
Industry Response
While IndiGo has assured that each aircraft undergoes mandatory inspections post-incident, analysts suggest that recurring mid-flight snags warrant deeper technical audits. A retired safety consultant commented, “Repeated anomalies across similar aircraft types might signify a broader procedural or maintainability concern.”
No further details about the nature of the latest technical issue have been disclosed, but IndiGo has grounded the aircraft involved for additional checks and maintenance.
Aviation Nexus Takeaway
- The crew’s rapid decision-making and strict adherence to safety protocols highlight strong cockpit discipline.
- Nevertheless, the proximity of two technical incidents raises questions about systemic reliability.
- Continued transparency and fleet-wide maintenance audits will be key to maintaining passenger confidence and operational integrity.
