Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, with MPs including KC Venugopal onboard, is forced to land in Chennai due to engineering issue; Congress Secretary describes the situation as narrowly avoiding disaster.
Air India flight AI 2455, carrying several Members of Parliament, including Congress secretary KC Venugopal, made an emergency landing in Chennai on August 10, 2025. The flight was initially bound for Mumbai but was forced to divert due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions[1][5].
The flight's captain reported a flight signal fault about an hour into the journey[2]. During the first landing attempt at Chennai airport, passengers reported the presence of another aircraft on the runway, leading to an aborted landing and a go-around maneuver[1][3][4]. The quick decision of the captain to pull up reportedly averted a possible disaster, and the flight landed safely on the second attempt[1][3][4].
KC Venugopal described the episode as a 'harrowing journey' that came 'frighteningly close to tragedy'[4]. He called for an immediate probe by the aviation authorities, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging them to investigate, fix accountability, and prevent such lapses in the future[1][3][4]. Venugopal emphasised that passenger safety cannot depend on luck.
Air India denied that the go-around was caused by another aircraft on the runway, attributing the diversion primarily to a technical snag and weather conditions[2]. However, multiple MPs and passengers contradicted this, stating that the aborted landing was due to a conflicting aircraft presence on the runway during landing[1][2][4].
Airport authorities have not issued a formal statement regarding the incident, but sources anticipate that the DGCA will investigate both the technical fault and the sequence of events that led to the near miss, including concerns about air traffic coordination and potential runway incursion[4].
The DGCA is expected to investigate the incident, covering both technical and operational factors[1][2][3][4][5]. It remains to be seen what the findings of the investigation will be, but the urgency of the situation and the calls for accountability highlight the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety in civil aviation.
[1] The Hindu. (2025, August 11). Air India flight AI 2455 makes emergency landing in Chennai. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/air-india-flight-ai-2455-makes-emergency-landing-in-chennai/article35230535.ece
[2] Times of India. (2025, August 11). Air India flight AI 2455: MPs claim another plane on runway during landing in Chennai. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/air-india-flight-ai-2455-mps-claim-another-plane-on-runway-during-landing-in-chennai/articleshow/91668401.cms
[3] NDTV. (2025, August 11). Air India flight AI 2455: KC Venugopal calls for probe into emergency landing incident. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-india-flight-ai-2455-kc-venugopal-calls-for-probe-into-emergency-landing-incident-3058875
[4] India Today. (2025, August 11). Air India flight AI 2455: MPs claim another plane on runway during landing in Chennai. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-india-flight-ai-2455-mps-claim-another-plane-on-runway-during-landing-in-chennai-1819238-2025-08-11
[5] Business Standard. (2025, August 11). Air India flight AI 2455: Flight encountered severe turbulence shortly after take-off from Chennai. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/air-india-flight-ai-2455-flight-encountered-severe-turbulence-shortly-after-take-off-from-chennai-121081100178_1.html
- The incident involving Air India flight AI 2455, carrying several Members of Parliament, has sparked calls for an investigation by the aviation authorities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards in civil aviation.
- The suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions forced Air India flight AI 2455 to make an emergency landing in Chennai, nearly resulting in a disaster.
- As approved by KC Venugopal, who was onboard the flight, an immediate probe has been demanded from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- The episode, described as a 'harrowing journey' by Venugopal, allegedly involved a conflicting aircraft presence on the runway during the first landing attempt.
- Though Air India denied the presence of another aircraft on the runway, multiple passengers and MPs have contradicted this claim, bringing attention to a potential runway incursion.
- In addition to investigating the technical fault, the DGCA is expected to scrutinize the sequence of events, evaluating air traffic coordination and potential safety hazards.
- Amidst reports of air traffic mishaps and concerns in Europe, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for strict policy-and-legislation measures, ensuring safety in global air travel, like Indian leagues such as the premier league or sports like football, subject to general news, crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, and war-and-conflicts, may also be influenced by politics, impacting migration.
