Lucknow airport received an unexpected visitor on Saturday evening. Flydubai Flight FZ 1165, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered as A6-FMU, touched down at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at 6:53 pm. The aircraft was originally scheduled to land in Pokhara, Nepal, but adverse weather conditions at the destination forced a change of plans.
Officials confirmed the diversion was strictly meteorological. No technical failures or onboard emergencies triggered the move. The crew made a normal landing, ensuring passenger safety while waiting out the storm over Nepal. It was a routine procedural response to hazardous flying conditions.
The wait lasted just over an hour. Once visibility and weather metrics at Pokhara improved, the 737 MAX 8 took off from Lucknow at 8:08 pm. Passengers continued their journey to the Nepalese city, albeit with a significant delay to their arrival time.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of direct routes to weather-dependent airports like Pokhara. While the flight operated without incident, such diversions add stress to international travel schedules. Airlines monitor these flights closely to prevent further disruptions in the region.