Kolkata-bound Alliance Air flight returns to Guwahati after mid-air snag, all safe

A Kolkata-bound Alliance Air flight returned to Guwahati midway on Wednesday after developing a technical snag, prompting the authorities at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport to declare a "full-scale emergency", news agency ANI reported.

Officials said flight 9I756 took off from Guwahati at 1.09 pm for Kolkata but soon after take-off, the pilots reported a technical issue.

Following protocol, the aircraft turned back and landed safely at 2.27 pm. The emergency situation, declared at 1.42 pm, was withdrawn at 2.40 pm once the flight had landed without incident.

"All passengers and crew members were safe, and were provided with necessary support," a spokesperson for LGBI Airport said in a statement.

The airport authority added, "Following the diversion of a GAU-CCU flight due to a technical snag, a full emergency was declared at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, at 1.42 pm on August 20".

Passengers were deboarded and assisted by the terminal staff. The spokesperson noted that while the airline worked on arranging alternative travel for the affected passengers, the airport’s operations team remained on standby to provide any further support.

The incident did not affect regular flight schedules or airport operations, the official clarified.

Alliance Air, in its statement, confirmed that the aircraft returned to Guwahati due to a technical issue and said an internal inquiry is underway to determine the cause.

"As a precautionary measure and in adherence to safety protocols, the aircraft safely landed at Guwahati Airport. All passengers were deboarded safely, and necessary arrangements were made," the airline said.

The flight was operating on the Guwahati-Kolkata route when the issue was detected.

- Ends

With agency inputs