Unfavourable weather conditions in Visakhapatnam disrupted flight operations overnight, forcing two IndiGo flights to make unscheduled stops in Hyderabad before continuing their journey to the coastal city.
Airport officials said the diversions took place during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday after pilots were unable to safely land at Visakhapatnam airport due to adverse weather conditions.
The affected flights originated from Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru and were carrying passengers bound for Andhra Pradesh's largest city.
Flights rerouted to Hyderabad as weather worsened
According to officials at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, IndiGo flight 6E 5248 from Navi Mumbai and IndiGo flight 6E 969 from Bengaluru were diverted after deteriorating weather conditions affected operations in Visakhapatnam.
According to the Hindustan Times, authorities said the diversions were carried out as a precautionary measure to prioritise passenger safety.
An airport official confirmed that both aircraft landed safely in Hyderabad and remained there until conditions improved at their intended destination.
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Services resumed after conditions improved
According to the Hindustan Times, once the weather situation stabilised in Visakhapatnam, both flights were cleared to continue their onwards journey.
IndiGo flight 6E 5248 departed Hyderabad for Visakhapatnam at 11:41 pm, while flight 6E 969 resumed operations at 12:16 am.
No injuries or technical issues were reported during the diversions.
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Weather-related disruptions common during monsoon season
According to the Hindustan Times, aviation experts note that coastal cities such as Visakhapatnam often experience weather-related disruptions during the monsoon period due to reduced visibility, heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Airlines typically divert flights to nearby airports such as Hyderabad when weather conditions fall below safe operating limits.
Passengers are advised to regularly monitor airline notifications during this period, especially for late evening and overnight flights, as schedules can change at short notice depending on weather conditions.
