A flight operated by Akasa Air from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was forced to divert after two unsuccessful landing attempts on January 13, 2026. The aircraft was diverted to Jaipur for refueling before returning to Ahmedabad, where it finally landed safely on its third attempt around 1:30 pm.
The flight, Akasa Air QP 1781, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 9 am, with an scheduled arrival time of 10 am at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
Sources reported that adverse weather conditions, specifically strong winds, caused an “unstable approach,” prompting the pilot to abort the landing on the first attempt. The aircraft circled the airport for approximately 15-20 minutes as other flights approached. The second attempt also failed, leading the crew to divert the Boeing 737 Max 8 to Jaipur for refueling.
After refueling at Jaipur airport, the aircraft returned to Ahmedabad, where it successfully landed at around 1:30 pm. Passengers and witnesses described a tense situation, noting that the aircraft touched down at a high speed before pulling up, and subsequent landing attempts caused panic among travelers.
An Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “Akasa Air flight QP 1781, operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on January 13, 2026, discontinued its approach into Ahmedabad as the landing did not meet safety standards. The crew followed standard operating procedures by diverting the flight to Jaipur. The aircraft later departed Jaipur and safely landed in Ahmedabad at 1:47 pm today.”