An Air India Express flight en route from Jeddah to Kozhikode witnessed a tense but well-managed situation on Thursday when the aircraft was forced to divert to Kochi following a suspected issue with its landing gear tyres. The flight, operating as IX 398, was carrying nearly 160 passengers along with crew members when the concern was detected during the journey.
According to aviation officials, the cockpit crew received indications of a possible tyre malfunction mid-air, believed to have been caused by contact with a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah Airport prior to take-off. Taking no chances and prioritising passenger safety, the pilots made the decision to divert the aircraft to Cochin International Airport, which has the necessary facilities to handle such precautionary landings.
As soon as Kochi airport authorities were alerted, emergency protocols were swiftly put into action. Fire tenders, medical teams, and airport rescue services were positioned along the runway, ensuring that all safety measures were in place well before the aircraft touched down. The atmosphere remained tense but controlled as preparations were made for the arrival.
The aircraft landed safely at around 9:07 am, bringing visible relief to passengers and airport officials alike. There were no injuries reported, and all passengers remained safe throughout the process. Following the landing, technical teams carried out a detailed inspection of the aircraft and confirmed that the tyres on the right side of the landing gear had indeed burst.
In a statement issued later, Air India Express reiterated that the diversion was purely a precautionary move taken in the interest of safety. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that arrangements were being made to transport them onward to Kozhikode by road while alternative solutions were explored.
Airport officials also confirmed that operations at Kochi resumed smoothly after the runway was cleared and safety checks were completed. The incident, while unsettling, highlighted the importance of strict safety protocols and quick decision-making in aviation, ensuring that what could have escalated into a serious situation ended with a safe and orderly outcome.
