An IndiGo flight carrying 78 passengers from Raipur to Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru on Sunday night after smoke from Diwali firecrackers reduced visibility at Chennai airport. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Chennai at 10.45pm but the pilot redirected it to Bengaluru at 11.15pm once runway visibility fell below safe levels.

Visibility at Chennai airport was reported to be around 900 metres, prompting the precautionary diversion. The aircraft returned to Chennai shortly after conditions improved and landed at 1.54am. Other flights were able to take off and land as visibility conditions improved.

The incident underscores how Diwali firecracker smoke can affect air travel in the region. No other disruptions were reported, and the flight operated safely after returning to Chennai.