An Air India Express flight bound for Kozhikode had to make a precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport this Thursday, following concerns about potential tyre damage. The aircraft, carrying 160 passengers, was on its route from Jeddah to Kozhikode when the issue was detected.
An official spokesperson from Air India Express confirmed that the Jeddah–Kozhikode flight (IX 398) was diverted to Kochi after the crew identified a possible tyre-related problem. “The aircraft 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 spokesperson explained.
The spokesperson reassured that only the tyres were affected and emphasized 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,” he added.
Upon landing safely at Kochi, all passengers were reported as unharmed. The airline stated, “All guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority.”
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) confirmed it facilitated the safe landing of the aircraft at 9.07 am. A technical issue involving the right main landing gear and tyre failure led to the diversion of the flight.
The airport authority activated all emergency services in advance. “There were no injuries to passengers or crew. A post-landing inspection confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst,” indicated a spokesperson from CIAL. The airport later confirmed that the runway was inspected, cleared, and released for normal operations.
Authorities urge all operations to continue smoothly as passenger safety remains a key focus for both Air India Express and Cochin International Airport. As the situation unfolded, the incident drew attention to the safety protocols in place when handling potential aircraft issues, reaffirming the importance of precautionary measures in air travel.