Doha-bound Air India Express flight returns to Calicut airport 2 hours after take-off due to technical issues
The flight, IX 375, carrying 188 passengers including pilots and crew, took off from Calicut at around 9:07 am but landed back at 11:12 am after the crew noticed a technical issue mid-air.
'There was some technical issue in the aircraft's cabin AC. It was not an emergency landing,' an airport official clarified. The passengers were safely deboarded upon return.
An Air India Express spokesperson described the return as a 'precautionary landing' due to a technical error. 'One of our flights returned to Kozhikode after take-off due to a technical issue,' the airline spokesperson said in an official statement.
The airline acted promptly to manage the disruption. 'We arranged an alternative aircraft on priority, provided the guests with refreshments during the delay and the flight has since departed. We regret the inconvenience and reiterate that safety remains our top priority in every aspect of our operations,' the statement added.
Further, the spokesperson reassured passengers that the alternate flight was scheduled to depart by 1:30 pm. 'Till then all arrangements, like food and water, have been made for the passengers at the airport,' the spokesperson confirmed.
Air India Express emphasised that it is committed to maintaining the highest standards of passenger safety and operational reliability. Airport officials also indicated that engineers would either rectify the technical issue or an alternative aircraft would be used to complete the journey.
This incident adds to the growing list of precautionary landings in recent months, underscoring the importance of stringent safety protocols within Indian aviation.
(This is a developing story. More updates to follow.)
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