NEW DELHI, India, Aug 11: An Air India flight traveling from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing at Chennai airport late Sunday due to a suspected radar malfunction. On board were several senior political figures, including four Members of Parliament from Kerala and one from Tamil Nadu. The pilots detected the radar issue mid-flight, leading to the diversion. During the initial landing attempt, the plane had to abort because another aircraft was spotted on the runway, causing the plane to circle before safely landing.

Passengers described the situation as tense but praised the crew for their calm and professional handling of the incident. Although no injuries occurred, concerns have been raised regarding air traffic control and the potential dangers of runway incursions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to investigate the technical fault and the events that led to the aborted landing.

In a separate event at Raipur airport, an Air India flight from Delhi experienced a technical problem when its door failed to open after landing, resulting in approximately 160 passengers being confined inside the aircraft for over an hour. Among the passengers was a sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly. The delay caused anxiety and confusion, worsened by a temporary power outage inside the plane. Air India later stated the delay was part of a routine security drill rather than a technical fault.

Passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of timely communication during the delay. Airport officials confirmed that no injuries or emergencies occurred, and all passengers eventually disembarked safely. The DGCA has yet to comment on the matter.

These incidents add to recent operational challenges faced by Air India, raising questions about the airline’s preparedness and communication strategies during technical disruptions. As air travel continues to recover, there is growing pressure on aviation authorities and airlines to ensure not only the mechanical safety of flights but also clear and timely information for passengers in unforeseen situations.