An IndiGo flight operating from Guwahati to Chennai was diverted to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, June 19, 2025, after encountering low fuel levels while in Chennai airspace. The Airbus A321, operating as an IndiGo flight, was originally scheduled to arrive in Chennai at 7:45 PM.

According to reports, after the aircraft reached Chennai airspace, it was rerouted to Bengaluru due to concerns about insufficient fuel to complete the landing. At the time of this writing, IndiGo has not released an official statement explaining the reason for the low fuel situation.

This incident raises concerns about flight planning and fuel management protocols. Several factors can contribute to a flight diversion due to low fuel. These include unexpected headwinds, which increase fuel consumption, delays in obtaining landing clearance at the destination airport, or unforeseen weather conditions requiring the aircraft to hold or take a longer route.

The diversion to Bengaluru would have involved coordination between the flight crew and air traffic control to ensure a safe and efficient landing. Priority would have been given to the flight due to the low fuel situation. Aircraft are equipped with reserve fuel to handle unforeseen circumstances, but the decision to divert indicates that the remaining fuel was approaching critical levels, necessitating a precautionary landing at the nearest suitable airport.

While diversions due to low fuel are not common, they highlight the importance of stringent safety measures and continuous monitoring of fuel levels throughout the flight. Airlines have standard operating procedures to calculate fuel requirements based on the flight distance, weather forecasts, and potential delays. These procedures are designed to ensure that the aircraft has enough fuel to reach its destination with adequate reserves.

The incident is under investigation to determine the exact cause of the fuel shortage. This will likely involve reviewing flight data, weather conditions, communication logs, and adherence to standard operating procedures. The findings of the investigation will help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Passengers on the flight experienced a delay and were rerouted to a different city than their intended destination. IndiGo is expected to provide affected passengers with updates on connecting flights and assistance with their travel arrangements.

This event serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in air travel and the critical role of pilots, air traffic controllers, and airline operations teams in ensuring passenger safety. Further details are awaited from IndiGo regarding the reason for the diversion and the steps being taken to address the situation.