Why SpiceJet flight to Kochi, Mumbai-bound IndiGo plane returned to Chennai airport on Thursday- The Week

Two aeroplanes that were cleared to take off from the Chennai International Airport returned midway after facing technical issues, a news report said. While the first flight was en route to Kochi, the other was bound to reach Mumbai when the crew experienced technical snags, the media report added.

The Chennai-Mumbai IndiGo Airlines flight had 160 passengers and eight crew members on board, while the Kochi-bound SpiceJet flight carried 84 passengers and six crew members, DT Next said in a report quoting Tamil daily Daily Thanthi.

According to the news report, the pilot of the SpiceJet aircraft contacted the control tower after he detected a mechanical malfunction after takeoff. The pilot was asked to fly back to Chennai after emergency arrangements were made for the plane’s safe return. The passengers were safely disembarked and are currently being accommodated in airport lounges, the news report added. Alternate arrangements will be made so that they can reach Kochi at the earliest.

At around 4:40 AM, the Chennai-Mumbai IndiGo flight was taxiing on the runway when the pilot found something was wrong. He understood it was a technical snag and quickly contacted the control tower. Soon the aircraft’s doors were opened but the passengers remained seated inside the plane, the news report said.

An engineering team was tasked to fix the issue as the passengers waited and the flight finally took off at 7:45 AM after the issue was fixed.

The development was reported amidst widespread rains lashing across Tamil Nadu, prompting authorities to declare a holiday for schools in Chennai and many other districts.

Overnight rains lashed Chennai and the neighbouring Tiruvallur, Chengelpet and Kancheepuram, besides Villupuram and some areas in the Cauvery delta region.

Following sharp showers, authorities declared a day's holiday for schools in districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore.

The regional weather office has forecast more spells of rain in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet and Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur districts in the state, besides the neighbouring union territory Puducherry.