Air India Express Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Kochi
An Air India Express flight operating from Jeddah made an emergency landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday after a technical issue involving its landing gear tyres. The aircraft was originally scheduled to land at Kozhikode but was diverted to Kochi as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety.
Emergency Protocols Activated
Airport authorities in Kochi declared a full emergency ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. Fire and rescue teams were placed on standby as the flight approached the runway. The plane landed safely without any injuries to passengers or crew. Officials confirmed that standard emergency procedures were followed throughout the operation.
Technical Issue Identified
Post-landing inspections revealed damage to the landing gear tyres on one side of the aircraft. Preliminary assessments suggest the tyre failure occurred during or before landing. Aviation officials said the diversion to Kochi was planned due to the airport’s longer runway and better emergency handling facilities compared to Kozhikode.
Passenger Arrangements and Operations
All passengers were safely disembarked after the aircraft was secured. Airline officials said arrangements were being made to transport passengers to their final destination. Airport operations resumed normally after safety checks were completed and the runway was cleared.
Air India Express stated that safety protocols were prioritised and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The incident is being reviewed as part of standard aviation safety procedures.
