An Air India flight carrying Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and several Members of Parliament narrowly avoided a possible tragedy on Sunday night. The aircraft, operating as flight AI2455 from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, was forced to divert to Chennai following suspected technical issues and adverse weather conditions.

Flight Encounters Turbulence Shortly After Take-Off

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com, AI2455 departed Thiruvananthapuram at 8:00 pm on 10 August 2025. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft experienced turbulence while en route to Delhi. The flight crew detected a suspected technical problem combined with deteriorating weather conditions. As a precaution, they decided to divert to Chennai for safety.

Air India confirmed that the aircraft landed safely in Chennai at 10:35 pm. The airline stated that the plane would undergo necessary technical checks before resuming service.

Alleged Runway Incident and Passenger Statements

KC Venugopal, who was on board along with several MPs, described the journey as distressing. In a post on social media, he claimed that the flight came close to disaster when it was allegedly instructed to go around due to another aircraft being present on the runway during the first landing attempt.

Venugopal wrote that after circling in the air for nearly two hours awaiting landing clearance, the first attempt ended in a “heart-stopping moment” when the captain aborted landing. He credited the pilot’s skill and quick decision-making for saving everyone on board.

Air India’s Clarification on Runway Claim

Responding to Venugopal’s post, Air India issued a clarification. The airline explained that the go-around at Chennai airport was instructed by Chennai Air Traffic Control (ATC) due to operational reasons and not because another aircraft was occupying the runway. Air India reiterated that the diversion was purely precautionary due to suspected technical issues and poor weather conditions.

Airline Assures Passenger Support

An Air India spokesperson expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers. The statement confirmed that airline staff in Chennai assisted affected passengers and arranged alternate travel to their destinations. The airline emphasised its commitment to passenger safety, adding that the decision to divert and conduct technical checks was in line with standard safety procedures.

KC Venugopal Demands Investigation

Venugopal called for an immediate investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He stressed that passenger safety should never depend on luck and demanded accountability to ensure such incidents are not repeated.

He stated, “We were saved by the skill of the pilot and fortune. Passenger safety must not rely on chance. I request DGCA and MoCA to investigate this incident, fix responsibility, and ensure such lapses never occur again.”

Two Hours in the Air Before Landing

According to Venugopal, the flight was delayed before departure and became increasingly uncomfortable after take-off. Approximately an hour into the journey, the captain announced a fault in the flight signal system, prompting the diversion to Chennai. Passengers then spent nearly two hours circling above the city before a safe landing on the second attempt.

He described the journey as one of the most unsettling flight experiences of his career.

Safety Procedures in Similar Incidents

Aviation experts note that diversions due to suspected technical issues are standard safety measures. In such cases, flights are rerouted to airports with better weather conditions, appropriate maintenance facilities, and operational readiness. Go-arounds are also common when ATC detects any situation that could compromise a safe landing.

While passengers may find such manoeuvres alarming, these actions are part of the industry’s layered safety protocols designed to protect lives.

The Air India AI2455 incident highlights the importance of vigilance, training, and rapid decision-making in aviation safety. Although initial passenger accounts suggested a potential runway conflict, Air India’s clarification and ATC involvement indicate the go-around was a controlled and precautionary manoeuvre.

With the DGCA likely to review the incident, this case serves as a reminder that in aviation, every safety decision, no matter how inconvenient, is made to ensure passengers reach their destination unharmed.