Yet another glitch: IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Karachi
What's the story
IndiGo's Sharjah-Hyderabad flight was on Sunday diverted to Pakistan's Karachi after the pilot reported a technical snag. This is the second such incident in two weeks when an Indian airline has made a landing in Karachi. Earlier, SpiceJet's Dubai-bound flight landed in Karachi following a malfunction in the fuel system. Meanwhile, the authorities have started examining the aircraft.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India is the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world at present. It is expected to overtake the UK to become the third-largest air passenger market by 2024, as per India Brand Equity Foundation. The latest developments are, however, seen as a setback to the growing sector, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing industries lately.
Statement
What did IndiGo officials say about the incident?
"IndiGo flight 6E-1406, operating from Sharjah to Hyderabad, was diverted to Karachi. The pilot observed a technical defect. Necessary procedures were followed and as a precaution, the aircraft was diverted to Karachi," IndiGo said in a press release. Meanwhile, the incident is being examined by authorities at the airport and IndiGo is reportedly also planning to send a replacement aircraft to Karachi.
Incident
Second such incident in two weeks
This is the second Indian airline-operated aircraft to land in Karachi in less than two weeks. On July 5, a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Dubai was diverted to Karachi due to an aircraft indicator light malfunction. The Boeing 737 Max flight from Delhi to Dubai began experiencing unusual fuel quantity reductions from its left tank during the flight.
DGCA
IndiGo already facing probe over past incidents
IndiGo is already facing a probe by India's top aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), after a Vadodara-bound IndiGo flight that took off from Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Thursday night. The flight had reported having faced some technical glitches. The airline authorities had also sent a caution message to the pilot.
Deficiencies
DGCA questioned IndiGo over other shortcomings also
The aviation regulator had said that several incidents were found since April 1 in which the IndiGo aircraft either turned back to its originating airport or continued landing at the destination with degraded safety margins. Meanwhile, the airline is also marred with other challenges amid the growing competition. The regulator had recently questioned the airline over flight delays too.
Staff
Airline staff battling several issues
Numerous technicians working in IndiGo also held protests as they were unhappy with their working circumstances. "The main reason for the technicians' protest is that they are seeking salary hike due to work pressure and long working hours," said an airline official. "Last week, 22 out of 25 Indigo technicians took sick leave at Hyderabad airport," HT had reported.