Bee Swarm Disrupts IndiGo Flight Ops At Surat Airport, Delays Take-Off By 1 Hour

News18

08-07-2025

Last Updated:
Firefighters used high-pressure water jets to remove the swarm, allowing ground handling crews to safely proceed with loading and final checks.
An IndiGo flight from Surat to Jaipur was delayed by almost an hour on Monday after a swarm of bees settled on the aircraft's cargo door, disrupting flying operations.
Passengers had boarded Flight 6E-7485, which was scheduled to depart from Surat Airport at 4:40 pm, and preparations for take-off were underway when airport staff noticed a large swarm of bees clustering around the aircraft's rear cargo hold.
Ground personnel attempted to disperse the insects using smoke, but the effort was unsuccessful. As the situation persisted, the airport's fire brigade was called in.
Firefighters used high-pressure water jets to remove the swarm, allowing ground handling crews to safely proceed with loading and final checks.
The Airbus A320 aircraft eventually departed at 5:26 pm, nearly 50 minutes behind schedule. The delay caused inconvenience to travellers, with some concerned about safety and the prolonged wait on the tarmac.
IndiGo has not issued an official statement on the incident as of Tuesday morning. Airport sources said the presence of bee swarms during monsoon months is not uncommon, though such incidents rarely affect flight schedules.
A video of the bees clustering on the aircraft's cargo door has since been shared widely on social media, drawing public attention to the unusual cause of the delay.
Authorities said preventive measures are in place, but unpredictable occurrences like this remain a challenge, especially during seasonal changes.
First Published:
July 08, 2025, 10:56 IST