An intra-country flight in India on Saturday made an emergency landing after an elderly passenger died on board.

According to information, the incident happened while victim Satish Chandra Burman (63), a resident of Assam's Nalbari, was travelling with his wife Kanchan and cousin-in-law Keshav Kumar on IndiGo flight 6E 2163 en route from Patna to Delhi. Satish's health suddenly deteriorated during the flight.

IndiGo flight 6E2163 departed from Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT) in Patna, bound for Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi.

Midway through the journey, a passenger experienced severe health complications. The flight crew was promptly alerted, and initial assessments suggested a possible heart attack.

Understanding the urgency, the pilot decided to divert the aircraft to Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO), ensuring the quickest access to medical assistance.

The aircraft landed safely, and medical professionals immediately boarded to attend to the passenger. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, he could not be revived.

Airlines follow strict protocols when medical emergencies occur on board. Flight crews are trained in basic life support, and commercial aircraft carry essential medical kits, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

However, when a passenger’s condition worsens beyond immediate intervention, pilots coordinate with ground control to arrange emergency landings at the nearest suitable airport.

In this case, the quick response by IndiGo’s crew and the diversion to Lucknow ensured the fastest possible access to medical aid. However, the passenger’s condition was critical, and he did not survive.

IndiGo has not yet released an official statement on compensation but is expected to follow regulatory guidelines.

Medical emergencies in flight are rare but not unheard of. Airlines typically rely on in-flight announcements to seek assistance from medical professionals among passengers, if available.

Similar to this, a 52-year-old passenger was discovered deceased aboard Air India (AI) Flight AI2485 after landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) on March 21, 2025.

The flight, operated by Vistara’s Airbus A320neo, had departed from Delhi International Airport (DEL) as scheduled.

Fellow passengers reported that Aashif Daulla Ansari, from Bihar’s Gopalganj, was unresponsive when a crew member attempted to clear his meal tray.

Onboard doctors confirmed he had no pulse. Ansari’s seatbelt remained fastened, and his food was untouched, indicating he may have been unconscious for much of the flight.

The airport’s medical team provided emergency care upon landing, but Ansari was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Authorities are investigating the cause, though no immediate signs of distress were reported mid-flight. The incident underscores the challenges of detecting and responding to medical emergencies in air travel.

Moreover, global aviation regulations mandate that pilots and cabin crew undergo emergency response training to manage such situations effectively.

This incident highlights the importance of early medical intervention and the role of aviation safety measures in mitigating risks for passengers with underlying health conditions. (Adapted from a report by Aviation A2Z)