An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on October 11 after smoke was detected from a passenger's power bank stored in the overhead bin. Flight 6E 6115, carrying around 180 passengers and seven crew members, landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport following the incident, the airline confirmed.
The cabin crew responded promptly when smoke was noticed from the personal electronic device. Passengers recorded a video showing efforts to smother the flames using their bags. IndiGo stated that the pilots followed established safety protocols by diverting the flight to Hyderabad, where the situation was brought under control. An alternate aircraft was arranged to transport passengers to Chennai.
This incident follows a similar event on September 15, when an IndiGo flight from Agartala to Delhi was diverted to Lucknow after a smoke alert in the cargo compartment. Such occurrences highlight ongoing safety challenges related to electronic devices onboard flights, prompting airlines to maintain strict protocols for passenger safety.
IndiGo's statement emphasized the safe handling of the situation and the airline's commitment to passenger safety. Flight 6E 6115's diversion on October 11 marks the second recent IndiGo flight diversion due to smoke alerts, underscoring the importance of vigilance in managing electronic device-related risks during air travel.