IndiGo Bengaluru-Chennai flight evacuated after smoke detected during taxiing, airline responds

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said all passengers and crew members were safe and had been shifted back to the terminal.

Updated on: May 27, 2026, 04:36:09 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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An IndiGo flight scheduled to operate from Bengaluru to Chennai was evacuated on Tuesday after smoke was detected in the aircraft while it was taxiing towards the runway for departure. The incident involved flight 6E 6017, and the evacuation was carried out immediately.

An IndiGo spokesperson said all passengers and crew members were safe and had been shifted back to the terminal. (HT Photo)

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said all passengers and crew members were safe and had been shifted back to the terminal.

“On 26 May 2026, while IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was taxing out to runway for departure, smoke was noticed in the aircraft. In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were informed,” IndiGo Spokesperson said.

Smoke was noticed when the IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was taxing out to runway for departure. (HT Photo)

Also read | DGCA issues directives for airlines after Ebola outbreak declared as 'health emergency'

"All customers and crew are safe and have been moved to the terminal, where they are being attended to by our teams to ensure their well-being. An alternate aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight which will depart shortly and refreshments are being served to the customers to ease their wait time. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority, "IndiGo Spokesperson further added.

DGCA issues directives for airlines

In a separate incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued directives on Monday for airlines following the World Health Organisation's declaration of the Ebola Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Also read | IndiGo flight attendant fixes passenger’s broken glasses with nail glue, duct tape on Kolkata to Hyderabad flight

In an order dated May 22, the DGCA said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued standard operating procedures for health preparedness in view of the outbreak. The order noted that countries bordering the DRC and Uganda, including South Sudan, “have been assessed as being at a high risk of disease transmission.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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