Bhubaneswar, 19 December (H.S.): A Mumbai–Varanasi Air India flight was forced to make a precautionary emergency landing at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar on Friday after it was unable to land at its destination due to dense fog and extremely poor visibility over Varanasi.

According to informed sources, the aircraft attempted to land at Varanasi but was diverted in accordance with standard aviation safety protocols when visibility levels dropped sharply, rendering a safe landing impossible. Air Traffic Control subsequently cleared the flight to divert to Bhubaneswar, where it landed safely.

Airport authorities at BPIA confirmed that the landing was precautionary in nature and that no injuries were reported. All passengers were safely deplaned after arrival. The airline arranged accommodation and extended necessary assistance to the stranded passengers in line with established aviation norms.

Sources further said that severe fog conditions over Varanasi disrupted landing operations for multiple incoming flights, resulting in diversions and delays across the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda