Two Indigo flights scheduled to land in Hyderabad were diverted to Gannavaram Airport near Vijayawada on Friday after thick fog reduced visibility at Hyderabad airport, airport officials said.
Indigo flights diverted to Gannavaram amid heavy fog
The first flight, arriving from Delhi, and the second, originating from Mumbai, were unable to land at Hyderabad due to low visibility. Vijayawada Airport director Lakshmikanth Reddy said the aircraft were diverted as a precaution because they could not remain in a holding pattern safely.
“Due to bad weather conditions in Hyderabad, the flights were diverted to Gannavaram as they could not wait mid-air,” Reddy told the press agency. Each aircraft was carrying nearly 200 passengers, he added, and both landed without incident at Gannavaram Airport.
Airport authorities and the airline worked to secure the necessary clearances so the diverted flights could depart for Hyderabad once conditions improved. Passengers were informed of the situation and airline staff were coordinating onward travel arrangements where required.
Flight diversions are a standard safety response when visibility at the destination airport falls below minima for a safe landing. Airlines and air traffic control routinely use alternate airports to protect passengers and crew rather than attempt risky approaches in poor weather.
Gannavaram, which serves Vijayawada and the surrounding region, has handled diversions in the past and is equipped to receive medium-haul aircraft. Airport staff mobilised ground services to manage the arrivals and to facilitate post-landing checks by technical teams before the aircraft were cleared to depart.
Hyderabad has a busy airspace with frequent services linking it to major Indian cities. Fog and low-visibility conditions are common in certain seasons and can disrupt schedules across the network. Airlines typically seek to minimise inconvenience by rebooking passengers on later flights or arranging surface connections once weather and air traffic control clearances permit.
In this instance, officials emphasised that safety was the top priority and that the diversions prevented potential risks associated with attempting to land in unsafe weather. Passengers were reported to be safe and under the care of airline personnel while arrangements were made to continue their journeys to Hyderabad.
Authorities at both airports said they would monitor weather conditions closely and update passengers as clearances were granted. The diverted flights are expected to depart for Hyderabad later on the same day after obtaining the required approvals from air traffic control and airport operations.
Key Takeaways:
- Two Indigo flights bound for Hyderabad were diverted to Gannavaram after heavy fog — a safety precaution.
- Each aircraft carried nearly 200 passengers and landed safely; departures to Hyderabad will follow once clearances are granted.
- Vijayawada Airport director Lakshmikanth Reddy confirmed the decision, citing poor visibility and inability to hold mid-air.
