Lightning strikes IndiGo aircraft with 140 passengers on board at Kolkata airport

Kolkata: An IndiGo aircraft scheduled to operate a flight from Kolkata to Agartala was struck by lightning while parked at Kolkata airport amid severe thunderstorm conditions, prompting safety checks, passenger deboarding and the deployment of an alternate aircraft.

The incident occurred on Friday when IndiGo flight 6E 6068 was parked at aerobridge 56L at Kolkata airport after boarding had been completed.

According to airport officials, the aircraft was struck by lightning during intense thunderstorm activity affecting Kolkata and surrounding areas. More than 140 passengers were reportedly on board when the incident took place.

Following the strike, the aircraft's power system was affected, leading authorities to immediately suspend its operation and initiate safety protocols.

Passengers safely deboarded

As a precautionary measure, all passengers were deboarded from the aircraft.

Airport and airline officials conducted mandatory technical inspections in accordance with aviation safety procedures before deciding to withdraw the aircraft from service.

An alternate aircraft was subsequently arranged to transport passengers to Agartala, resulting in delays but ensuring the journey could continue safely.

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Two ground staff receive medical attention

While no passengers were injured, two IndiGo ground staff members were reportedly affected during the incident.

The employees were taken to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment as a precautionary measure. Officials later confirmed that both individuals were stable and that no serious injuries had been reported.

The lightning strike occurred amid widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain across Kolkata and nearby districts.

The adverse weather led to waterlogging in several parts of the city and caused disruptions to road traffic and transportation services.

Airport authorities had already issued weather-related advisories through the Airport Operations Control Centre, warning airlines and passengers about potential operational disruptions.

IndiGo issues weather advisory

Earlier in the day, IndiGo had warned passengers about possible delays and schedule changes due to poor weather conditions over Kolkata.

The airline stated that it was closely monitoring the situation and advised travellers to check their flight status through official channels before heading to the airport.

Aviation experts note that commercial aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, which are relatively common occurrences in aviation. However, strict safety protocols require detailed inspections whenever such incidents occur, especially when an aircraft is on the ground and preparing for departure.

In this case, authorities followed standard procedures by grounding the aircraft, conducting inspections and arranging an alternative flight for passengers.