Air India Express flight from Jeddah diverted to Kochi after tyre issue, all passengers safe
An Air India Express flight travelling from Jeddah to Kozhikode was diverted to Kochi on Thursday morning after a technical issue related to its landing gear was detected mid-air. The aircraft, carrying 160 passengers, made a precautionary emergency landing at Cochin International Airport without any injuries reported.
Airport authorities said the diversion was carried out as a safety measure after the flight crew alerted them to a possible tyre problem. The aircraft landed at Kochi at around 9.07 am under full emergency preparedness, with fire and medical services positioned on standby as per standard protocol.
Officials at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) confirmed that post-landing checks revealed damage to the right main landing gear, with both tyres on that side found burst. Emergency procedures had been activated in advance, ensuring a smooth and controlled landing, airport sources said.
Air India Express later stated that the issue may have originated before the aircraft departed Jeddah. According to the airline, the tyre damage was likely caused by contact with a foreign object on the runway at the Saudi airport. The airline emphasised that the decision to divert was taken purely in the interest of passenger safety.
Following the landing, passengers were safely deplaned in Kochi. The airline arranged road transport to take travellers onward to Kozhikode, their original destination. Air India Express expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and reiterated that safety remains its top operational priority.
Aviation experts note that tyre-related incidents, while uncommon, are handled through well-established safety procedures. Aircraft are designed to land safely even with tyre damage, and diversions are often used to ensure the availability of longer runways and better emergency support.
Also read: How airlines handle in-flight technical alerts and emergency landings
The incident did not disrupt operations at Kochi airport, and authorities said normal flight movements continued after the landing.
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