Engine snag grounds Vizag-bound Air India Express flight carrying VVIPs

 An Air India Express flight carrying 175 passengers, including former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, was forced to abort takeoff at Vijayawada International Airport late Thursday after pilots detected a technical anomaly during taxiing.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 PM as the aircraft prepared to depart for Visakhapatnam. According to Airport Director Lakshmikanth Reddy, the pilots identified an engine-related issue while on the taxiway and immediately decided to return to the bay as a precautionary measure.

VVIP travel disrupted

The flight list included several high-profile political figures. Alongside Mr. Naidu, the aircraft was carrying Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchennaidu and senior YSRCP leader Botsa Satyanarayana.

Due to the grounding, the former Vice President’s scheduled visit to the Swarna Bharat Trust in Atmakur was cancelled. Security protocols were swiftly activated to escort the dignitaries off the aircraft safely.

Airline response

In a statement issued on Friday, an Air India Express spokesperson prioritized the safety aspect of the decision. “The pilot identified a technical issue prior to departure and opted to return to the ramp in adherence to standard safety protocols,” the airline stated.

The carrier confirmed that all passengers were deplaned safely without injury. Travelers were offered hotel accommodation overnight, along with the option of a full refund or complimentary rescheduling on alternative services.

The incident adds to a week of heightened vigilance in Indian aviation, following a precautionary landing by another Air India Express flight in Kochi on Monday due to a suspected tyre issue.

Summary

An Air India Express flight from Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam was cancelled on Thursday night (Dec 18) after an engine snag was detected during taxiing. The 175 passengers on board included former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and AP Minister K. Atchennaidu. The airline grounded the plane for inspections, providing accommodation and refunds to those affected. No injuries were reported.

Q1: What happened at Vijayawada airport?

An Air India Express flight aborted its takeoff at 8:30 PM after pilots detected an engine problem while taxiing.

Q2: Who was on the flight? 

The flight carried 175 passengers, notably former VP M. Venkaiah Naidu, AP Agriculture Minister K. Atchennaidu, and senior leader Botsa Satyanarayana.

Q3: Was there any danger? 

No. The issue was identified on the ground before the aircraft gained speed for takeoff, and all safety protocols were followed.

Q4: What did the airline do for passengers?

Passengers were given the choice of a full refund, complimentary rescheduling, or hotel accommodation for the night.

Q5: Is this a common issue? 

Technical snags are rare but handled with extreme caution. This follows a similar precautionary landing in Kochi earlier this week.