An IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Chennai was evacuated at Bengaluru airport on Tuesday after smoke was detected inside the aircraft while it was taxiing for departure.
The incident involved flight 6E 6017. According to the airline, smoke was noticed as the aircraft was moving towards the runway, prompting an immediate evacuation.
“An immediate evacuation was carried out,” IndiGo said in a statement, adding that all passengers and crew members are safe and were shifted back to the terminal.
The airline said an alternate aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight and is expected to depart shortly.
In a separate statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said the evacuation was carried out “in the interest of safety” after smoke was noticed in the aircraft during taxiing.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“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,” the spokesperson added.
ALSO READ: Ebola Scare: DGCA Issues SOP To Air India, IndiGo For Passengers Arriving From Congo, Uganda
Separately, amid rising concerns over Ebola cases reported in parts of Africa, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines operating flights connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, mandating enhanced screening and precautionary measures for incoming passengers.
The SOP aims to strengthen preparedness against potential cross-border health risks. Airlines have been directed to implement mandatory passenger declarations and intensify monitoring protocols for travellers arriving from affected regions.
Under the guidelines, airlines must ensure compliance with health screening norms, including identification of suspected cases, isolation procedures, and coordination with airport health authorities.
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