An IndiGo airlines Airbus A320-232 performing flight 6E-632 from Bangalore, Kempegowdga International Airport to Patna, Bihar, India, with 154 passengers and six crew, returned to Bangalore soon after take-off at 06:37Z (12:07 IST) due to a leakage in the hydraulic system.
After take-off from runway 09, on climb, the Captain noticed a leakage in the hydraulic system. As standard protocol followed by most airlines around the world, in the case of hydraulic leaks, the crew immediately requested the Bangalore air traffic control for priority return to Bangalore.
The Captain informed all 154 passengers via an inflight announcement of the situation, and the need to accommodate passengers on a new aircraft, after landing. The aircraft landed safely at 07:27Z (12:57 IST). All passengers deplaned safely and normally via stairs.
All the passengers were accommodated on a new A320 aircraft VT-IDL which is performing the replacement flight 6E-637D having departed Bangalore at 09:44Z (15:14 3:14pm IST).
Bangalore Aviation would like to stress this incident was extremely routine and handled as per procedure. Hydraulic fluid is the life-blood of an aircraft and is needed to operate aircraft controls. Therefore any leakage, however small, is always treated with maximum seriousness, by any airline in the world. Hence the priority return to Bangalore by the IndiGo crew as per global standard operating procedures.
A hat tip to the avgeek sitting down under.