Lucknow: A Bhubaneswar-bound Akasa Air flight from Bengaluru was forced to make an emergency landing in Lucknow on Wednesday evening after it began running critically low on fuel following a diversion due to bad weather.
The incident involved Akasa Air flight QP 1503, which departed Bengaluru around 5 pm and was scheduled to reach Bhubaneswar at approximately 7:15 pm. The aircraft was diverted to Lucknow after the Odisha capital witnessed mild and sporadic showers accompanied by strong wind last evening.
While en route to the diversion airport, the pilot reported rapidly depleting fuel levels and alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC). In response, Lucknow Airport declared a full emergency at 9:02 pm. Emergency services, including CRPF personnel, medical teams, ambulances, police, and the airport fire brigade, were immediately placed on high alert. The fire brigade took position on the runway by 9:04 pm. The pilot executed a safe landing at 9:21 pm, according to Amar Ujala.
The full emergency was lifted around 9:30 pm after the situation was brought under control.
There were 194 passengers on board the flight. News of the fuel shortage triggered panic among passengers, but they breathed a sigh of relief after the safe landing. Three passengers disembarked in Lucknow.
According to airport sources, this was the first full emergency declared at Lucknow Airport in recent years. During a full emergency, all incoming and outgoing flights are placed on hold until the affected aircraft lands safely. Fortunately, there was minimal air traffic at the airport that night, which helped avoid major disruptions.
After landing, the aircraft was refuelled as a priority and it took off hours later as weather conditions improved in Bhubaneswar.
