Tragedy averted as Air India Express flight makes emergency landing in Kochi after tyre burst

A major aviation tragedy was averted when an Air India Express flight from Jeddah to Kozhikode was forced to divert to the Kochi airport and make an emergency landing with burst tyres on Thursday at 9.08 a.m.

The flight, IX 398, had 160 passengers and crew on board. The Kochi airport was alerted about the need for an emergency landing at 8.35 a.m., after which it immediately activated its Emergency Response Plan. All relevant operational units, including Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFF), groundhandling teams, external response units, and the Central Industrial Security Force, were mobilised.

External stakeholders, including Fire and Rescue Services and the State Police, also joined in maintaining high alert and preparing for any eventuality. After landing, it was confirmed that both right-side main landing gear tyres had burst.

“Our Jeddah–Kozhikode flight was diverted to Kochi and made a precautionary landing due to suspected tyre damage likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport. The aircraft landed safely in Kochi, and all guests are being transported to Kozhikode by road,” said an Air India Express spokesperson.

Passengers emerging from the airport said they were informed about the diversion to Kochi only half an hour before the emergency landing. “Passengers suspected something was wrong because there was a loud noise during take-off. When we asked the cabin crew, they said the aircraft had run over a runway signal light. It was only on approaching Kochi that the diversion was announced. We were told that landing at Kozhikode, being a table-top airport, would be risky, which left passengers anxious,” said a passenger.

Passengers confronted the airline authorities after disembarking. “Initially, the airline promised to fly us to Kozhikode but later backtracked and arranged three buses instead. After flying nearly six hours from Jeddah to Kochi, we now have to endure another five-hour, back-breaking road trip to Kozhikode. I have to travel even further to Kannur. The cab arranged at Kozhikode to pick me up returned after hearing about the diversion,” said another passenger.

The situation was especially difficult for passengers who had travelled for a brief period for urgent personal reasons, as they ended up losing an entire day.

The runway, which was briefly closed for inspection following the emergency landing, was cleared for operations at 9.45 a.m. Six incoming flights were delayed, three were diverted to other airports, and five departures were rescheduled.

All operations were coordinated according to standard procedures and all passengers and crew are safe and being transported to their destination, according to a communication issued by Cochin International Airport Limited managing director S. Suhas.