IndiGo Flight Evacuated After Smoke Seen During Taxiing at Bengaluru Airport

NEW DELHI — A Chennai-bound IndiGo flight was halted at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday after smoke was spotted while the aircraft was taxiing for departure.

IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was moving toward the runway when smoke was observed in the aircraft, the airline said.

The pilot immediately stopped the plane and an emergency evacuation was carried out as a safety precaution. Airport fire brigade teams and technical officials were called in to inspect the aircraft after the incident, which briefly caused panic among passengers.

IndiGo said all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated and moved back to the terminal.

“On May 26, while IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was taxing out to runway for departure, smoke was noticed in the aircraft. In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were informed,” the airline said.

The airline said passengers were being assisted by airport and airline staff, and an alternate aircraft had been arranged to operate the flight.

“All customers and crew are safe and have been moved to the terminal, where they are being attended to by our teams to ensure their well-being. An alternate aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight which will depart shortly and refreshments are being served to the customers to ease their wait time,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

The airline said safety remains its top priority. The cause of the smoke was not immediately known, and technical teams were examining the aircraft.

“At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the spokesperson said. (Source: IANS)