An Air India Express flight carrying 160 passengers made a precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport this Thursday due to suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyres. The incident involved the Jeddah–Kozhikode flight (IX 398), which was redirected to Kochi after the crew noticed potential tyre-related damage.
According to an Air India Express spokesperson, the precautionary landing resulted from suspected damage caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport. Fortunately, only the tyres were impacted, with no issues reported concerning the landing gear.
“It was not an emergency landing. The flight diverted as a precautionary measure since Kozhikode’s Karipur airport is classified as a tabletop airport,” the official explained. This classification indicates that the airport has a short runway and limited room for error during landings.
The aircraft safely landed at Kochi, and all passengers were unharmed. “All guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson reiterated.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) confirmed that it facilitated the safe landing of the aircraft at 9.07 AM. The aircraft was diverted due to a technical issue surrounding the right main landing gear and tyre failure, prompting the quick response from the airport’s emergency services.
“All emergency services were activated in advance, and there were no injuries reported for passengers or crew. A post-landing inspection revealed that both right-side tyres had burst,” a spokesperson for CIAL informed. The authority further stated that following the incident, the runway underwent an inspection, which cleared it for normal operations.
This incident highlights the vigilance exercised by airline crews and airport staff to ensure passenger safety. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, all protocols were followed successfully, allowing for the efficient management of the situation.
