Video: Delhi-bound Vistara flight makes emergency landing in Odisha after hailstorm cracks windshield

The Vistara flight made the emergency landing at the Bhubaneswar airport shortly after its take off amid inclement weather conditions in Odisha.

The Delhi-bound aircraft windshield and nose suffered damage due to hailstorm in Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar: A Delhi-bound Vistara flight made an emergency landing shortly after its take-off from the Bhubaneswar airport in Odisha on Wednesday after the plane was caught in a hailstorm. All 169 passengers and crew members onboard the aircraft were reported safe.

The Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Vistara made the emergency landing at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) just 10 minutes after it departed from there, according to officials.

The decision to land the aircraft was taken after it suffered damages due to the hailstorm. The plane’s windshield was cracked due to the storm that struck several parts of the coastal state earlier in the day. The flight reportedly took off after the weather conditions improved.

“A windshield has been damaged, while no harm was caused to the passengers,” BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan said.

Watch:

Bruised Delhi Vistara Flight Makes Emergency Landing

Bhubaneswar-Delhi Vistara Flight faces rough weather as sudden hailstorm forces the Flight to make Emergency landing at Bhubaneswar airport

Hailstorm leaves plane bruised pic.twitter.com/fhNZGjrtIR

— Soumyajit Pattnaik (@soumyajitt) May 1, 2024

Air India extends suspension of flights to Israel

In another development from the aviation sector, Air India has announced that it has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 15 amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Previously, on April 19, the airline had stated that flights to Tel Aviv would remain suspended until April 30. Air India typically operates four weekly flights connecting the national capital with the Israeli city.

Citing the ongoing situation in parts of the Middle East, Air India reiterated its decision to temporarily suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 15.

In a statement, the airline mentioned, “We are closely monitoring the situation and are providing assistance to passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges.”

The heightened tensions in the Middle East stem from the conflict between Israel and the Hamas group.

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