An Air India Express flight carrying 160 passengers made an emergency landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday due to suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyres. The Jeddah–Kozhikode flight (IX 398) was diverted to Kochi after the crew detected a possible tyre-related issue.
According to an Air India Express spokesperson, the precautionary landing occurred after the crew noticed potential damage likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport. “The aircraft made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyre,” the spokesperson confirmed.
The official emphasized that only the tyres were affected and there was no issue with the landing gear. “It was not an emergency landing. The flight was diverted as a precautionary measure since Kozhikode’s Karipur airport is a tabletop airport,” agreed the spokesperson.
After safely landing at Kochi, all passengers remained unharmed. “All guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority,” the official concluded.
The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) reported that they facilitated the safe landing of the aircraft at 9.07 am following the diversion triggered by a technical issue involving the right main landing gear and tyre failure.
In a statement, a CIAL spokesperson noted, “All emergency services were activated in advance, and there were no injuries to passengers or crew. Post-landing inspection confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst.” This reinforcement of safety protocols highlights the thoroughness of airport operations.
CIAL further added that the runway was subsequently inspected, cleared, and released for normal operations, signifying a quick resolution to the situation.
