A Kozhikode-bound Air India Express flight, carrying 160 passengers, made a precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday due to potential tyre damage, according to airline officials. The flight, designated IX 398 and flying from Jeddah to Kozhikode, diverted to Kochi after the crew identified a possible issue with the aircraft’s tyres.
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed, “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.” Fortunately, only the tyres were impacted, and the landing gear remained unaffected.
The spokesperson further clarified, “It was not an emergency landing. The flight diverted as a precautionary measure owing to Kozhikode’s Karipur airport being a tabletop airport.” This precaution ensured the safety of passengers and crew aboard the flight.
The aircraft landed safely in Kochi, and all passengers reported being unhurt. “All guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and reinforce that safety is our highest priority,” the spokesperson added.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) reported that it facilitated the safe landing of the aircraft at precisely 9:07 AM. The flight was diverted due to a technical issue linked to the right main landing gear and tyre failure.
A spokesperson for CIAL stated, “All emergency services activated in advance ensured the safety of the flight. There were no injuries among passengers or crew. After landing, our inspection confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst.”
The airport authority promptly conducted a thorough inspection of the runway, which was cleared for regular operations without delay. This swift action allowed the airport to return to normalcy, ensuring that travel in and out of Kochi remained uninterrupted.
