IndiGo Mumbai-Bound Flight 6E-6544 Delayed by 3.5 Hours at Varanasi After Pilot Falls Ill
A Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight experienced a three-and-a-half-hour delay at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi after the scheduled captain reported sick shortly before departure. The operational disruption required the airline to deploy a replacement pilot from another city before the aircraft could safely take off.
A Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight was delayed by three and a half hours at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport after the pilot scheduled to operate the flight reported sick, prompting the airline to arrange a replacement pilot from Ahmedabad. Flight 6E-6544 was scheduled to depart from Varanasi for Mumbai on Thursday. The flight eventually took off after the airline made alternative arrangements for a new pilot, according to a report.
Replacement Pilot Flown in From Ahmedabad
According to airline sources, the pilot assigned to operate the flight suddenly reported sick, leading IndiGo to arrange a replacement. Since Varanasi is not a base station for the airline, a replacement pilot was brought in from Ahmedabad. The process resulted in a delay of around three and a half hours, sources said. Passengers were informed about the delay and served refreshments while the alternative arrangements were being made. IndiGo Flight 6E97 Bomb Threat: Lucknow-Dammam Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Ahmedabad.
Airport Cites Technical Reasons
Varanasi airport director Puneet Gupta said the flight was delayed by three and a half hours due to technical reasons and was later operated to Mumbai. He also denied reports that passengers created a ruckus at the airport during the delay. IndiGo Launches Over 30 New Routes From Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Flight Eventually Departs for Mumbai
After the replacement pilot arrived and the necessary arrangements were completed, the IndiGo flight departed for Mumbai. The airline's account attributed the delay to the scheduled pilot falling ill, while airport authorities cited technical reasons for the disruption. The flight was ultimately operated after a delay of approximately three and a half hours.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 08:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
