Overview
- IndiGo flight 6E-6497, carrying 181 passengers and six crew, diverted near Patna and landed in Lucknow around 11 pm Wednesday with no injuries reported.
- Pilots aborted attempts to land at Patna due to unsafe weather and chose Lucknow after diversion clearance for Varanasi was not available.
- BJP MP and trained commercial pilot Rajiv Pratap Rudy captained the flight, reassured passengers over the PA, and invited applause after the safe landing.
- Following weather clearance, the aircraft departed Lucknow about 12:30 am Thursday and reached Patna around 2 am, as three passengers opted to deboard in Lucknow.
- A passenger video of the captain’s announcement spread online, highlighting how crews use briefings and set alternate airports as part of routine safety planning.