A sudden deterioration in weather conditions severely disrupted air traffic at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Thursday night. Three scheduled commercial flights approaching the Jharkhand capital were unable to make safe landings due to worsening atmospheric conditions, forcing air traffic controllers to reroute them to alternate airfields. Two aircraft were redirected to Lucknow, while a third was diverted to Kolkata, causing significant delays and inconvenience for dozens of passengers aboard.
Bengaluru Flight Diverted to Lucknow
The first aircraft to be impacted by the sudden weather shift was IndiGo flight 6E 221. Operating an Airbus A320, the flight had departed Bengaluru on schedule and arrived in the airspace over Ranchi, but unfavorable conditions near the runway made landing unfeasible. Following safety protocols, the flight crew was instructed to divert toward the Uttar Pradesh capital. The aircraft touched down safely at Lucknow airport at around 9:45 PM.
Delhi and Hyderabad Arrivals Also Rerouted
The operational disruption continued shortly afterward when IndiGo flight 6E 5023 from Delhi faced similar conditions. Unable to descend safely into Ranchi, the aircraft was likewise instructed to divert to Lucknow, where it landed around 10:20 PM. Meanwhile, a third scheduled flight originating from Hyderabad was approaching Ranchi after 9:00 PM. With local weather showing no immediate signs of recovery, that flight was redirected to Kolkata. In total, three inbound flights bound for Birsa Munda Airport were forced to touch down in other cities over the course of Thursday evening.
Safety Measures and Guidance for Passengers
Airlines prioritized flight safety over schedules, taking precautionary rerouting decisions to protect passengers and crew amid unpredictable weather. The diversions left travelers facing extended waits and disrupted transit plans at alternate terminals. The adverse weather also raised concerns about potential delays or cancellations for subsequent outbound and inbound operations connected to the Ranchi hub. Ferrying the diverted aircraft back to Ranchi remained dependent on weather improvements, prompting airport authorities and operating carriers to advise passengers to actively monitor their flight statuses for real-time updates.
