An Air India Express flight bound for Visakhapatnam was cancelled at Vijayawada’s Gannavaram Airport on the night of December 18 due to a technical engine problem found before take-off. Officials said the issue emerged during taxiing and pilots returned the aircraft to the ramp. The Indian Express
The flight, scheduled to leave for Vizag, had several notable passengers including former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K Atchennaidu and senior YSRCP leader B Satyanarayana. All travellers had to cancel their journey after the snag was spotted around 8:30 pm.
Airport director Lakshmikanth Reddy said the engine concern was identified before take-off, leading to a precautionary cancellation. An Air India Express spokesperson said the decision was made “in the interest of safety”, stressing that passenger well-being comes first.
Passengers were given hotel accommodations, and the airline offered options like full refunds or free rescheduling for later flights. The airline also expressed regret for the inconvenience and gave assurance that safety checks and aircraft maintenance procedures are being reviewed.
The incident highlights ongoing operational checks within India’s aviation sector and aims to reassure travelers about airline safety priorities.
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