AIR INDIA FLIGHT DIVERTED DUE TO MIDAIR TECHNICAL SNAG

LUCKNOW: In what was possibly a close shave for its passengers and crew members, Air India flight AI 418 (from Raipur to Delhi) had to be diverted to Lucknow on Tuesday, after its engine developed a technical snag mid-air.

The flight landed in Lucknow airport at 9.18 am.

The pilot had earlier called the air traffic control for help, requesting permission for immediate landing.

Station manager Air India, Shakeel Ahmed, said , “The passengers were sent to Delhi via the afternoon flight of Air India, while the aircraft is still parked in the taxi area of the airport. Engineers from Delhi have arrived to repair the plane.”

“We expect it will be repaired by midnight,” he added.

Clarifying that it was not an “emergency landing”, he said , “There is a difference between priority and emergency landing.”

“Let me clarify it was not an emergency landing. This term infers a gesture of fear and panic, and should not be used in this kind of a situation. We diverted the flight due to a technical fault in the engine.”

“To ensure the safety of passengers, the pilot decided to land in Lucknow,” said station manager, Air India.

He added, “Emergency Landing is carried out only when there is grave and imminent danger to the aircraft and its occupants.”