Air India Denies MP’s ‘Runway Horror’ Claim

New Delhi, 8 August, 2025:A political controversy has been ignited following an incident involving a Thiruvananthapuram-Delhi Air India flight, which was carrying Congress MP KC Venugopal and several other parliamentarians. The airline’s official statement, which was released in response to the MP’s social media post detailing a “runway horror,” has been met with a strong rebuttal by the lawmaker. The disagreement has been further amplified by comments from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with a demand being made that the MP be placed on a “no-fly” list if his claims are found to be false.

The incident was first brought to public attention by Mr. Venugopal, who described his journey as “harrowing” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). It was claimed that after a delayed departure and significant turbulence, the flight was diverted to Chennai due to a “flight signal fault.” According to his account, a “heart-stopping moment” was experienced during the first landing attempt when another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway, necessitating a sudden “go-around” maneuver by the pilot. It was asserted that the lives of the passengers were saved by “skill and luck” and that a proper inquiry should be conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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Air India, in its clarification, has denied that another aircraft was on the runway during the landing attempt. In a statement posted on X, it was explained that the diversion to Chennai was a “precautionary” measure due to a “suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions.” It was further stated that a “go-around” was instructed by Chennai ATC (Air Traffic Control), not because of the presence of another aircraft on the runway. The airline maintained that its pilots are “well-trained to handle such situations” and that standard procedures were followed throughout the flight. The DGCA, in a separate statement, confirmed that the flight was diverted due to a suspected weather radar malfunction.

The opposing narratives have led to a political sparring match. The BJP’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, took to social media to call the matter “extremely serious.” It was highlighted that if the MP’s claim was true, serious questions would need to be answered by Chennai ATC and Air India. However, it was also contended that if the allegation was found to be false, Mr. Venugopal should face “consequences, including being put on a no-fly list for spreading falsehoods.”

The Congress MP, in a subsequent statement to the media, has dismissed Air India’s explanation, insisting that “Air India is lying” and reiterating his demand for an inquiry. He has claimed that the pilot had announced the presence of another aircraft on the runway, and that a formal investigation is needed to ascertain the facts.

This incident has prompted a broader discussion about aviation safety and the responsibility of public figures in making statements that could cause alarm. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been urged to investigate the matter thoroughly to provide a definitive account of the events. The contradictory claims from the airline and the MP, coupled with the political dimension added by the BJP, ensure that the incident will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny.