THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
RANCHI, May 30: Adverse weather conditions and poor visibility at Birsa Munda Airport disrupted flight operations in Ranchi on Saturday, forcing the diversion of four incoming flights to Kolkata and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, including Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth.
A sudden deterioration in weather conditions, accompanied by dense fog and low cloud cover over Ranchi and adjoining areas, reduced visibility around the airport to unsafe levels for landing operations.
Four Flights Diverted to Kolkata
Airport officials said four scheduled flights were diverted after pilots were unable to land safely due to poor visibility on the runway.
The affected flights included:
- IndiGo flight 6E 7561 from Kolkata to Ranchi
- IndiGo flight 6E 646J from Delhi to Ranchi
- Air India Express flight AXB 1239 from Bengaluru to Ranchi
- Air India Express flight AXB 1046 from Delhi to Ranchi
After holding in the Ranchi airspace for some time, all four aircraft were directed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to Kolkata as visibility remained below the required operational limits.
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MP Sanjay Seth Among Stranded Passengers
Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, who was returning to the state capital from Delhi, was also affected by the disruption as his flight could not land in Ranchi.
Several passengers reported inconvenience due to the unexpected diversions and delays.
Operations Dependent on Weather Improvement
Airport authorities said normal flight operations would resume only after visibility improves and weather conditions meet aviation safety standards.
Officials advised passengers to check flight schedules and status updates with airlines before leaving for the airport, as weather-related disruptions may continue if conditions remain unstable.
The flight diversions come amid a broader spell of unsettled weather across Jharkhand, with rain, thunderstorms and cloudy conditions affecting several districts, including Ranchi.