NewKerala.com

Akasa Air Flight Diverted to Chennai After Lightning Strike En Route to Bengaluru

An Akasa Air flight from Phuket to Bengaluru was diverted to Chennai after experiencing a lightning strike amid adverse weather. The airline confirmed the aircraft landed safely and is now undergoing standard engineering checks as a precaution. Passengers were provided with hotel accommodation or surface transport options to continue their journeys. The airline emphasized that lightning strikes are a known and manageable occurrence, with aircraft designed to withstand them and crews trained to handle such situations.

Key Points: Akasa Air Flight Diverted After Lightning Strike

  • Flight diverted due to weather
  • Aircraft experienced lightning strike
  • Passengers provided accommodation/transport
  • Aircraft undergoing standard checks
  • Lightning strikes are manageable in aviation
1 min read

Akasa Air flight from Phuket to Bengaluru diverted to Chennai after lightning strike due to weather conditions

An Akasa Air flight from Phuket to Bengaluru was diverted to Chennai following a lightning strike. All passengers are safe and the aircraft is undergoing checks.

"At Akasa Air, the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority - Airline Statement"

Chennai, March 19

An Akasa Air flight, operating from Phuket to Bengaluru on Wednesday, was diverted to Chennai due to adverse weather conditions, during which the aircraft experienced a lightning strike.

The airline said in a statement that passengers were provided with hotel accommodation or surface transport options to continue their journey, in an effort to minimise inconvenience.

"As a precaution, the aircraft is undergoing standard engineering checks. At Akasa Air, the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority," the statement said.

The Akasa Air flight QP 624 landed safely in Chennai.

The statement said that lightning strikes are a known and manageable occurrence in aviation, and aircraft are designed and certified to safely withstand them.

"Our teams are also well-trained to handle such situations with the highest standards of safety. Our pilots and crew handled the situation in accordance with established safety protocols," it said.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Safety first is the right approach, but the real test is in the follow-up. Were the hotel accommodations decent? How long was the delay for the surface transport to Bangalore? Hope the airline was transparent with passengers.
A
Aman W
This is why I always prefer Indian carriers for regional flights. They understand our weather patterns better. Good to know the aircraft can handle lightning strikes, but still a nerve-wracking experience for those on board!
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently on the Bangalore-Chennai route, the pre-monsoon weather has been brutal. Diverting to Chennai was the smartest call. MAA airport handles such diversions well. Kudos to the crew for a safe landing.
V
Vikram M
The statement says lightning strikes are "manageable," but as a passenger, you just pray! Glad the system works. More importantly, they provided hotel stay – many budget airlines would just leave you at the terminal. Good job, Akasa.
K
Karthik V
This is a reminder of how unpredictable Bay of Bengal weather can be, especially this time of year. Passengers flying to/from coastal cities should be mentally prepared for such eventualities. Safety protocols seem to have worked here.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50