In a concerning incident for passengers and aviation authorities, an IndiGo flight 6E-6271 operating on the Delhi to Goa route made an emergency landing at Mumbai airport on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, following a reported engine failure mid-air.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, around 8:00 PM, approximately 30 minutes behind schedule. However, while en route to Goa, the flight experienced technical issues linked to one of its engines, prompting the crew to declare a full emergency.
Safe Landing in Mumbai Amid Panic
The flight was diverted to Mumbai, where it safely landed at 9:52 PM at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Although the exact number of passengers on board is still not confirmed, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties. The crew followed all standard operating procedures to ensure passenger safety.
A source told PTI, “A full emergency was declared for IndiGo flight 6E-6271 after it was diverted to Mumbai due to one engine failure.”
IndiGo Yet to Issue an Official Statement
At the time of reporting, IndiGo Airlines has not released an official statement on the incident. However, aviation safety experts commend the crew’s swift and efficient response, which averted a potential disaster.
Similar Recent Incident: Bird Strike Forces Patna-Delhi IndiGo Flight to Return
Interestingly, this isn’t the only incident involving IndiGo this week. On July 9, 2025, another IndiGo flight (6E-5009) en route from Patna to Delhi was forced to turn back mid-air due to a bird strike.
In a statement, the IndiGo spokesperson said:
“IndiGo flight 6E-5009 operating from Patna to Delhi on July 9 turned back to Patna due to a bird strike. Due to the requirement of necessary inspection and maintenance of the aircraft, the flight has been cancelled for the day.”
Passengers were reportedly offered refreshments, full refunds, and alternate travel arrangements. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety, saying:
“We are doing our best to minimize inconvenience to our customers. The inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation is deeply regretted. Safety and security of our customers and crew remain our topmost priority.”
Adverse Weather Hits Delhi, Causes Multiple Flight Diversions
Adding to the chaos in Indian skies on Wednesday, Delhi airport witnessed multiple flight diversions due to adverse weather conditions including heavy rain and gusty winds.
A total of five flights were diverted in the afternoon, according to officials. This included:
- Two IndiGo flights
- Two Air India flights diverted to Jaipur
- One Air India flight diverted to Amritsar
Air India posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 1:44 PM stating:
“Gusty wind and rain are impacting flight operations in Delhi.”
IndiGo also issued a weather advisory:
“Heavy rains are forecast across #Delhi today, and while our operations remain on schedule for now, weather-related delays may be expected later in the day.”
India’s Busiest Airport Grapples with Monsoon Disruptions
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is India’s busiest airport, handling more than 1,300 flight movements daily. The combination of technical faults, bird strikes, and extreme weather conditions has posed a significant operational challenge for airlines and airport authorities alike.
What Happens During a Full Emergency?
In aviation terms, a “full emergency” means that the airport and airline must prepare for the possibility of a crash landing or fire. This includes:
- Notifying emergency services
- Clearing runways
- Ensuring medical teams are on standby
- Alerting nearby facilities
Fortunately, in the case of IndiGo flight 6E-6271, all protocols were in place and executed flawlessly, ensuring passenger safety.
The back-to-back aviation incidents involving IndiGo flights serve as a strong reminder of the challenges and unpredictability of air travel, especially during the monsoon season. While the Mumbai emergency landing could have escalated into a much graver situation, the calm and professional response from the flight crew helped avoid tragedy.
As investigations unfold, passengers are urged to stay informed, follow travel advisories, and plan ahead, particularly in weather-affected zones like Delhi.