LUCKNOW: IndiGo flight 6E6497, operating from Delhi to Patna and piloted by Member of Parliament Rajiv Pratap Rudy along with co-pilot Rajiv Mishra, was diverted to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Wednesday night due to worsening weather conditions and severe turbulence in Patna.The aircraft landed safely in Lucknow at 10.49 pm with 181 passengers and six crew members on board. Following the landing, three passengers chose to deboard the flight.Videos from inside the aircraft that went viral on social media showed Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who was piloting the flight, addressing and consoling passengers after the diversion.Many passengers were visibly anxious after experiencing heavy turbulence during the journey. Rudy reassured them about their safety and the professionalism of the crew.In an announcement made over the flight’s public address (PA) system, Rudy urged passengers to remain calm, saying they were “absolutely in safe hands”.He said the diversion was a routine operational decision taken in the interest of passenger safety and that such situations occasionally arise due to adverse weather conditions. He also informed passengers that once the weather improved, the aircraft would refuel and continue its journey to Patna.Rudy also invited passengers to applaud the safe landing, praising the aircraft, the crew and the passengers for their patience. “You can clap now, because you’ve landed safely,” he said with a smile.Air traffic control sources described the landing of the Patna-bound aircraft in Lucknow as a precautionary measure due to bad weather.The flight later departed for Patna at 12.30 am.
