Two Flights Diverted to Lucknow After Cargo Smoke Alarms, All Safe

<p>Two separate flights were diverted to Lucknow Airport within weeks of each other after cargo hold smoke alarms were activated mid-flight, triggering emergency response protocols on both occasions. All passengers and crew on both aircraft were safe.</p>
<p>IndiGo flight 6E6504, travelling from Agartala to Delhi, was diverted to Lucknow on Tuesday evening after a smoke warning indication was detected in the aircraft's cargo area. The flight, carrying 103 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Lucknow Airport at 6.29 pm.</p>
<p>The airport immediately activated its full emergency preparedness measures, deploying fire and rescue personnel, ambulances, medical teams, security staff and terminal support teams to ensure the aircraft was handled safely and that all passengers and crew received the necessary assistance.</p>
<p>In a separate incident earlier this month, an Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Delhi also made a precautionary landing at Lucknow Airport on the morning of September 3 after a cargo hold smoke detection alarm was activated, sources said.</p>
<p>Flight IX 1253, carrying 155 passengers, took off from Varanasi at around 8 am. Shortly after departure, the cargo hold smoke alarm went off, prompting the pilot to contact Lucknow Air Traffic Control and request permission for an emergency landing. The aircraft landed safely at Lucknow Airport at 8.52 am.</p>
<p>Airport emergency teams, fire brigade personnel and technical experts rushed to the aircraft after it landed. All passengers and crew were deboarded by 9.02 am, sources said. Preliminary checks found no evidence of smoke or fire.</p>
<p>An Air India Express spokesperson said the crew chose to divert the flight to Lucknow as a precaution after detecting a technical issue, prioritising passenger safety. The airline said all passengers were provided refreshments and that an alternative aircraft was being arranged on priority to fly them to Delhi.</p>
<p>The aircraft was subsequently moved to a hangar for inspection. An investigation is underway to determine what triggered the alarm, sources said.</p>