IndiaOne Air (IOA) resumed its full flight schedule on Sunday, just one day after one of its aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near Rourkela in Odisha. The quick resumption of service was met with steady passenger numbers, indicating that confidence in the regional carrier remained largely unaffected by the dramatic incident.
Flight Operations Resume with Near-Normal Passenger Turnout
Despite the scare on Saturday, the airline operated all its scheduled flights on Sunday. Sources reported that at least 37 passengers flew on the airline's small planes connecting Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, and Jeypore. This figure was described as being nearly normal compared to other days.
Detailed passenger data from Sunday reveals the breakdown: On the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela sector, flight IOA-102 carried three passengers from the capital, while two returned on IOA-202. For the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore route, flight IOA-109 had seven passengers, and the return leg IOA-209 carried nine. Later, IOA-103 ferried seven passengers from Bhubaneswar to Jeypore, with nine returning on IOA-203.
"Despite the accident, the airline operated flights across its network, including Rourkela," stated Usha Padhee, the state commerce and transport secretary, who visited Rourkela on Sunday to oversee the situation.
Details of the Saturday Emergency Landing
The incident that prompted the scrutiny occurred on Saturday. A nine-seater Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX aircraft, registered as VT-KSS and operated by IndiaOne Air, was forced to land in a field approximately 10 kilometers from Rourkela airport. The aircraft was on a flight from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela.
The pilots executed the emergency procedure following an apparent engine failure. Their actions saved the lives of all six people on board, which included two crew members and four passengers. All individuals were safely evacuated, sustaining only minor injuries.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft may have scraped a high-tension wire during the forced landing in the field at Kainser village in Sundargarh district.
Official Assurances and Passenger Safety Concerns
Authorities were quick to emphasize their commitment to safety. Secretary Usha Padhee assured that passenger safety was paramount. "IndiaOne Air resumed its operations amid strict adherence to safety protocols. State govt continues to remain in close coordination with all agencies concerned to ensure effective management of the situation and compliance with safety protocols," she added.
The Ahmedabad-based airline, which focuses on connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with metropolitan hubs, did not issue a fresh statement on Sunday. However, in a statement released after Saturday's incident, the company said, "Safety remains the highest priority for IndiaOne Air" and confirmed it was working closely with aviation regulators and the Odisha government.
While the operational response and passenger turnout suggest resilience, the event has sparked a conversation about regional aviation safety. "The forced-landing incident raised concerns about the safety of regional air services. Even though the quick resumption of flights and steady passenger turnout suggest confidence in the airline, DGCA and govt authorities must adopt foolproof measures to prevent recurrence," remarked Sangram Keshari Tripathy, a frequent flyer.
