An Akasa Air flight travelling from Varanasi to Mumbai carrying 172 passengers made an emergency landing at Raja Bhoj Airport in the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday after a passenger fell seriously ill, an official reported.


The Akasa airline issued a statement saying that flight QP1492, travelling on August 15, 2024, was diverted to Bhopal due to a medical emergency on board. Despite the best assistance provided by the cabin crew and a doctor on the flight, the passenger sadly passed away.


"Our thoughts are with the relatives and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We acknowledge the efforts of our cabin crew and the assisting doctor for their swift response to this emergency," the airline statement read.


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In a statement, the Akasa Air spokesperson said, "Akasa Air flight QP1492, flying from Varanasi to Mumbai on 15 August 2024, made a diversion and landed in Bhopal on account of a medical emergency on board. Despite the best efforts of our cabin crew and a doctor on board who provided immediate assistance, the passenger, unfortunately, passed away." 


"Our thoughts are with the relatives and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We acknowledge the efforts of our cabin crew and the assisting doctor for their swift response to this emergency," the spokesperson added.


The airline also emphasised its commitment to the safety and well-being of passengers and crew, adding that it was working to ensure a timely recovery for the onward journey of the flight with minimal disruption to other passengers.


Airport director Ramjee Awasthi told PTI that the pilot contacted the Air Traffic Control and made an emergency landing at 11.40 am after a passenger faced a serious health issue. The passenger was immediately transported to a hospital.






Awasthi also noted that the flight is expected to resume its journey at 5 pm after completing the necessary formalities.


Air India Cancels Flights 


Meanwhile, Air India on Thursday announced the cancellation of its flights AI306 and AI307 on the Delhi-Narita-Delhi sector on 16 August 2024 due to an inclement weather warning in Tokyo.


"Air India regrets to inform the cancellation of its flights AI306 and AI307 on the Delhi-Narita-Delhi sector on 16 August 2024 due to inclement weather warning at Tokyo. Customers with confirmed bookings on our flights on 16 August 2024 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling and full refunds for cancellation, " wrote in a post on X.




"We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority. For more information, please call our Contact Centre please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 01169329333 / 01169329999 or visit our website," the post added.