Diwali Smoke Disrupts Chennai Airport Operations as IndiGo Flight Diverts to Bengaluru

Firecracker smoke during Diwali celebrations disrupted flight operations at Chennai International Airport on Sunday night, November 8, after deteriorating visibility forced an IndiGo service from Raipur to divert to Bengaluru. The incident highlighted how local environmental conditions can affect airport operations, landing procedures and airline schedules. The aircraft, which was scheduled to arrive in Chennai at 10.45 pm, eventually reached its intended destination in the early hours of Monday after visibility improved.

IndiGo flight 6E2002, operated by an Airbus A321neo, was flying from Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur to Chennai International Airport when the diversion became necessary.

According to airport authorities cited in reports, the aircraft was scheduled to land in Chennai at 10.45 pm. However, smoke from firecrackers set off during Diwali celebrations reduced visibility around the airport, making the conditions unsuitable for landing at the time of its approach.

The minimum visibility required for landing on Runway 07 at Chennai airport was 950 metres. However, visibility had dropped to approximately 900 metres around the scheduled arrival time.

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