An Akasa Air flight traveling from Mumbai to Ahmedabad faced an unexpected diversion to Jaipur on Tuesday morning. The aircraft made two unsuccessful attempts to land at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad before changing course.
Unstable Winds Force Aborted Landings
Flight QP1718 departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 8:42 AM as scheduled. The aircraft arrived over Ahmedabad on time and began its descent procedure. However, unstable wind conditions near the runway prevented a safe landing.
The pilots aborted their approach twice due to these challenging weather conditions. On both occasions, they followed standard operating procedures by executing go-around maneuvers to maintain flight safety.
Fuel Concerns Lead to Diversion Decision
Each aborted landing consumed additional fuel, creating a potential low-fuel situation if the crew continued attempting to land in Ahmedabad. The flight crew assessed the circumstances and decided to divert to the nearest suitable airport with refueling facilities.
Jaipur International Airport became the chosen diversion point. "The diversion was purely a safety-driven call," explained a source familiar with the incident. "After two unstable approaches, the captain opted to divert to Jaipur to ensure adequate fuel margins and avoid any operational risk."
Safe Landing and Return Journey
The aircraft landed safely at Jaipur airport, where it underwent refueling before continuing its journey to Ahmedabad. The flight eventually departed Jaipur and arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:40 PM.
This arrival occurred nearly four hours behind the original schedule. All passengers remained onboard during the diversion and refueling process in Jaipur. No medical emergencies or security issues were reported throughout the incident.
Airline Statement and Passenger Handling
Akasa Air released an official statement regarding the incident. "Akasa Air flight QP1781, operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on January 13, 2026, discontinued its approach as the landing did not meet prescribed safety standards," the spokesperson stated.
The airline emphasized that the crew followed standard operating procedures by diverting to Jaipur. "At Akasa Air, we follow world-class safety standards and the wellbeing of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority," the statement continued. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and thanked passengers for their understanding.
Passengers were accommodated normally after the aircraft finally landed in Ahmedabad. Operations at Ahmedabad airport continued normally throughout the morning, with no other flights experiencing diversions or cancellations due to weather conditions.
The incident concluded without injuries or damage to the aircraft. Aviation authorities consider such diversions as standard safety procedures when weather conditions prevent safe landings at intended destinations.
