Bhogapuram-bound flight with 70 passengers lands after 12 hours

An Air India Express flight carrying over 70 passengers, including two ministers and other public representatives, landed at Bhogapuram after a 12-hour journey on Thursday morning. The flight, IX1373, departed from Vijayawada at 8:52 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, but faced heavy rain and poor weather conditions at Bhogapuram, causing it to be diverted to Nagpur that night.

The aircraft remained grounded in Nagpur for several hours before departing at around 2:20 a.m., traveling via Bengaluru and landing in Vijayawada at 7:15 a.m. before proceeding to Bhogapuram. Upon landing, passengers and their families were relieved to hear that the flight had arrived safely. Minister Kondapalli Srinivas remained in Vijayawada, while Minister Atchannaidu and other passengers traveled to Bhogapuram.

Family members and well-wishers gathered at the airport to welcome the leaders. Minister Srinivas expressed gratitude for the airport's handling of the diversion, noting that such incidents are common during bad weather. Atchannaidu later visited Tekkali to review the cyclone and flood situation and console the families of four students who were injured by a train.