A row erupted on Thursdy over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's IndiGo flight being made to hover over Kolkata after the plane was reportedly low on fuel and it echoed in Parliament where TMC alleged threat to her life while the Centre asserted no one was in danger.
Aviation regulator DGCA ordered an inquiry into the incidents of as many as three flights, including one carrying Banerjee, reporting low fuel on Wednesday at the same time.
TMC vice-president Mukul Roy alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate Banerjee and dashed off a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, demanding a thorough inquiry by his ministry to unearth the truth.
IndiGo on its part said its flight carrying the Trinamool Congress supremo was delayed due to congestion over Kolkata before making a normal landing and had adequate fuel.
In a statement, IndiGo said the flight 6E 342 with 174 passengers on board made a “normal landing” at Kolkata airport and that its captain did not declare a fuel priority or an emergency, though there was some misunderstanding between the Air Traffic Controller and the pilot.
According to IndiGo, the misinterpretation of information by ATC controller, led the ATC to instruct fire engines and ambulances to be stationed at the airport.
TMC raised the issue in both Houses of Parliament alleging that Banerjee's flight was made to hover over Kolkata airport on Wednesday evening for about half an hour despite the pilot reporting that the plane was low on fuel.
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IndiGo says plane
had adequate fuel
* IndiGo on Thursday said the plane was delayed due to congestion before making a normal landing and had adequate fuel
* IndiGo said the flight 6E 342 with 174 passengers onboard made a “normal landing” at Kolkata airport
* The Airliner management stated that the captain of the plane did not declare a fuel priority or an emergency
* Indigo, however, said though there was some misunderstanding between the Air Traffic Controller and the pilot
