Panic gripped more than 150 passengers on board an IndiGo flight from Surat to Dubai on Tuesday morning after a sudden engine malfunction forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The timely decision-making of the pilot and crew narrowly averted what could have been a major disaster.

IndiGo flight 6E-1507 took off from Surat International Airport but developed a technical snag mid-air when one of the engines began showing abnormal performance. Airline officials confirmed that emergency protocols were immediately activated, and the aircraft was diverted to Ahmedabad as a precautionary measure.

“The safety of our passengers is always our top priority. The pilot followed all standard operating procedures and landed the aircraft safely in Ahmedabad,” an IndiGo spokesperson said in an official statement.

Inside the cabin, the situation triggered panic among passengers. Several travelers were seen praying, while others attempted to call relatives after learning about the diversion. “Everyone was tense. The crew kept telling us not to panic, but you could see the fear on people’s faces. It was only after the plane touched down safely in Ahmedabad that we finally breathed a sigh of relief,” said Rakesh Patel, a passenger traveling for business.

Eyewitness accounts confirmed that despite the emergency, the landing was smooth, and all passengers disembarked safely. Airport officials also assured that no injuries or casualties occurred.

Following the landing, IndiGo’s engineering team began a detailed inspection of the aircraft to identify the root cause of the engine fault. Meanwhile, the airline swiftly arranged for an alternate aircraft to transport the stranded passengers to Dubai. By late afternoon, the journey resumed without further delays.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers but are grateful that the situation was handled safely and professionally,” IndiGo’s official statement added.