An IndiGo flight from Ahmedabad to Diu had to abort its takeoff on July 23, 2025. This was due to a fire that erupted in one of its engines while the aircraft was rolling down the runway. There were 60 passengers on board the ATR 76 aircraft at the time of the incident. The pilots quickly responded by issuing a ‘Mayday’ call to air traffic control. They followed standard procedures and managed to bring the plane back to the bay safely. The passengers were evacuated without any reported injuries.
IndiGo confirmed the situation, stating that a technical snag was detected just before takeoff. The spokesperson for the airline mentioned, “In line with standard operating procedures, the pilots alerted the authorities and returned the aircraft to the bay.” The airline will conduct thorough checks and maintenance on the aircraft before it can resume operations.
The scheduled departure for the flight was at 11 am from Ahmedabad airport. After the incident, IndiGo expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The airline is providing refreshments and options for rebooking on the next available flight or full refunds, depending on passenger preferences.
This incident follows another technical issue involving an IndiGo flight from Goa to Indore just a few days earlier. That flight had to make an emergency landing due to a snag in its landing gear. Fortunately, that aircraft landed safely, but it is also undergoing inspection. The recurrence of such technical issues within a short span has raised safety concerns among passengers and industry experts.
Passengers at Ahmedabad airport voiced their frustrations about the lack of timely updates regarding the situation. Some have called for greater transparency in IndiGo’s maintenance procedures. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to investigate this recent incident. They will require IndiGo to submit a report explaining the engine fire and how the crew responded.
Experts praised the pilots for their quick thinking, which likely prevented a more serious situation. The swift ‘Mayday’ call and the immediate evacuation ensured that all passengers were safe. However, the recent events have led to demands for stricter regulations on aircraft maintenance.
As the largest airline in India by market share, IndiGo faces increasing pressure to regain the trust of its passengers. The airline must demonstrate its commitment to safety and reliability to avoid further scrutiny. The DGCA may conduct unexpected audits of IndiGo’s fleet to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Overall, while this incident was handled effectively with no injuries reported, it raises significant questions about the maintenance protocols in place at IndiGo. The airline must address these concerns to reassure passengers about their safety in the skies.