Jeddah-Kozhikode AI Express Flight Makes Precautionary Landing at Kochi

An Air India Express spokesperson said that the Jeddah-Kozhikode flight was diverted to Cochin International Airport and "made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraft's tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport".

"The aircraft landed safely in Kochi, and all guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority in every aspect of our operations," the spokesperson added.

He also said that there were only the tyres burst and no issues with the landing gears.

"Also, it was not an emergency landing. It is a precautionary landing to Kochi as Karipur is a table top airport," the official said.

Tabletop runways are constructed on hilly or elevated terrains. Also, there could be low lying areas adjacent to such runways and there could be gorges at the end of such runways.

In the morning, the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), in a statement, said that it successfully facilitated the "safe emergency landing" of Air India Express flight IX 398 from Jeddah to Kozhikode, which was diverted to Kochi due to a technical issue involving the right main landing gear and tyre failure.

The aircraft landed safely at 9.08 am under full emergency conditions, it said.

"All emergency services were activated in advance, and there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew. Post-landing inspection confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst," a CIAL spokesperson said in the statement.

Subsequently, the runway was cleared and released for operations, it added.

Later, in a more detailed statement, CIAL said that it executed "full scale emergency procedures" and successfully facilitated the "precautionary landing" of the AI Express flight.

It said that on receiving the landing information at 8.35 am, CIAL immediately activated its emergency response plan and mobilised all relevant operational units, including Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFF), ground handling teams, external response units and CISF.

"External stakeholders, including State Fire and Rescue, State Police also joined in keeping a high alert and ready to face any eventuality. With all the emergency services activated, the aircraft landed safely at 9.08 am.

"Post-landing, it was confirmed that both right-side main landing gear tyres had burst. The runway was cleared and released for operations by 9.45 am, and the first departing flight took off at 9.48 am," the statement said.

CIAL also said that as result of the incident, six incoming flights experienced delays, with three diverted to alternate airports and five departures were rescheduled.

CIAL Managing Director, S Suhas, said that the airport handled the situation diligently and professionally because of the excellent coordination among all stakeholders.

"All operations were coordinated according to standard procedures, and it is a relief that all passengers and crew are safe and being transported to their destination," he is quoted as having said in the statement.

Following the safe landing and clearance of the runway, airport operations, including arrivals, departures and ground handling have resumed normal schedules, CIAL added.

Meanwhile, a man claiming to be one of the passengers onboard the AI Express flight said he had suspected there was some damage to the aircraft's tyres when it had taken off from Jeddah after 1 am.

In a video call from the airport to a TV channel, the passenger, who identified himself as Arun, claimed that it was around 8.30-9.00 am that the pilot informed them that the plane cannot land at Kozhikode and was being diverted to Kochi.

"It was just before the plane landed at Kochi that we were told that it was an emergency landing. It also felt like an emergency landing ....

"Even now we cannot believe that we escaped," he said.

At the same time, he alleged that the airline was not taking proper care of the passengers as no food was provided to them even though they all had begun their travels around midnight.

He also claimed that no alternate flight was arranged for them and instead the airline was saying they would be transported to Kozhikode by bus.

He said it was unacceptable to him as his home is in the northernmost Kerala district of Kasaragod, which would take four hours from Kozhikode

"So, from here to Kozhikode will take six hours and another four hours to Kasaragod. It is not acceptable to me. They will have to either refund the fare or arrange an alternate flight. There are a lot of kids here. I am also traveling with a four-year-old child," he said.