Air safety concerns once again came under the spotlight on Wednesday when Alliance Air flight 9I756, operating on the Guwahati–Kolkata sector, was forced to make an emergency return shortly after takeoff following a mid-air technical snag.
The ATR aircraft, carrying passengers on a routine afternoon service, turned back to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati, where a full emergency was declared at 13:42 hours.
After nearly 45 minutes in the air, the aircraft landed safely at 14:27 hours, and the emergency was formally withdrawn by 14:40 hours.
Airport authorities confirmed that all passengers were safely deboarded, with terminal staff providing assistance and alternative arrangements. Alliance Air issued a statement soon after, affirming its commitment to passenger safety:
The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were deboarded without incident. An internal probe has been launched to determine the exact cause.
All our aircraft undergo rigorous pre-departure checks, and passenger safety remains our top priority.”
While the incident ended without casualties, it has nevertheless deepened anxieties among Indian air travellers, who have been left shaken by the frequency of such events in recent months.
Aviation Woes After the Ahmedabad Tragedy
The scare comes in the shadow of the horrific Air India Boeing 777 crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which claimed 262 lives, including passengers and crew.
That tragedy, one of the worst in Indian aviation history, exposed glaring lapses in oversight and spurred calls for urgent reforms in safety monitoring, pilot training, and fleet maintenance.
Since then, not a week has gone by without reports of emergency landings, flight diversions, or mid-air snags.
From hydraulic failures to engine alerts and bird strikes, Indian skies appear to be facing near-daily challenges that have eroded passenger confidence.
Social media has been flooded with anguished accounts of near-misses, aborted takeoffs, and diversions, with many questioning whether India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector has outgrown its safety net.
A senior aviation analyst remarked: The pace of India’s aviation boom is remarkable, but so are the warning signs. Every diversion or snag might not be catastrophic, but the frequency is alarming. Public confidence has already been shaken post-Ahmedabad, and each new incident reinforces the sense of unease.”
What Lies Ahead?
Aviation authorities are now under mounting pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has promised a fresh round of audits across airlines and airports, with a focus on fleet health and pilot duty rosters.
Yet, for millions of travellers, reassurance remains elusive. As one passenger put it after disembarking from the Alliance Air flight in GGuwahatiWe are grateful to be safe, but honestly, it feels like flying has become a gamble these days. Every other day, there is news of some flight turning back. It’s unnerving.”
With the festive season approaching, airlines face the dual challenge of managing surging demand while restoring faith in the safety of Indian skies.
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