British F-35 in Love with 'God's Own Country'
The advanced fighter, valued at over $110 million, made an emergency landing on June 14 after experiencing low fuel levels. Inclement weather prevented it from returning to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. Shortly after landing, the aircraft reportedly developed a hydraulic failure, rendering it unable to take off.
In a tongue-in-cheek social media post on platform X, Kerala Tourism embraced the incident to promote the state's appeal. Sharing a mock 'review' from the jet itself, the department wrote:
'Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy.' The fictional review added: 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.'
Social Media Joins the Fun
The post quickly gained traction online, prompting a wave of humorous responses.
One user joked, ' Now it refuses to start without coconut oil,' while another quipped, ' Give it parotta and thattukada fried chicken, it will never go back.'
Others played along, with comments like ' F-35, how much is a one-way ticket? ' and 'From the Portuguese to now, the legacy continues.'
Repair Efforts Underway
According to a PTI report on June 27, a team of UK aviation engineers is en route to Kerala with specialized equipment to conduct repairs on the aircraft.
A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed that the jet would be moved to a hangar upon the team's arrival to minimize disruptions at the airport.
'The aircraft will resume active service following repairs and safety checks,' the spokesperson said. 'Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure all safety and security protocols are maintained. We extend our gratitude to Indian officials and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their ongoing support.'
About the F-35B Lightning II
The F-35B, known as the 'Lightning' in British service, is a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Designed to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways, it is a key component of the UK's maritime and expeditionary air power.
As engineers prepare to bring the aircraft back to operational readiness, the incident has unexpectedly offered a PR moment for Kerala — and a reminder that even state-of-the-art machines aren't immune to the charms of 'God's Own Country.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
British F-35 fighter jet stranded in India for over month takes off after inspiring memes
NEW DELHI, July 22, (AP): A British F-35B fighter jet stranded at an Indian airport for more than a month, sparking memes and cartoons on social media, took off Tuesday after being repaired by a team of U.K. engineers, an Indian official said. The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing around $115 million, was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to technical snags. The aircraft had hydraulic issues and problems with its auxiliary power unit that have been fixed, said the Thiruvananthapuram official, who wasn't authorized to speak with the media and requested anonymity. The aircraft will fly to a British aircraft carrier in Darwin, Australia, the official said. The British High Commission and UK's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea in June when it ran into bad weather and couldn't return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram and landed safely June 14. The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, triggered A.I.-generated memes in India. A Kerala tourism department social media post showed the plane on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees with a fictitious five-star review: "Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend." The top official at the tourism department, K. Biju, said the post was in "good humor.' "It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' Biju said. Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background. There was speculation in India that the aircraft could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane if repairs were unsuccesful. The U.K. Ministry of Defense dismissed the speculation in a statement.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Big News for Indians: Get Longer Stay Visas in Europe — Here's What You Need to Know
KUWAIT, July 21: In a significant shift for global mobility, the Schengen Area, Europe's passport-free travel zone, is beginning to reward good behavior. Frequent, rule-abiding travelers can now receive longer-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas, starting at six months and extending up to five years. The move marks a turning point in how Europe handles visa policy for what officials are calling 'trusted travelers.' Indians Leads the Way with 2-Year Visas Under New 'Cascade' System For Indian it has already been implemented the so-called "cascade visa system" as of April 2025, offering two-year multiple entry visas of 90 days stay per visit to repeat travelers with clean immigration records. Those maintaining good standing may eventually qualify for five-year multi-entry visas, allowing far more flexibility for travel, study, or business within the EU. It's a reward for reliability — and a big win for Indian passport holders tired of repetitive paperwork and unpredictable approvals. What's Behind the Policy Shift? The European Union is aiming to boost tourism, streamline bureaucracy, and encourage smoother business and academic exchanges. Officials note that trust builds over time, and regular travellers with consistent visa histories are now seen as low-risk — and worth fast-tracking. Recent reports from the European Travel Commission show an 18% surge in arrivals from countries where visa rules were relaxed, indicating the strategy may be paying off. Who's Likely to Benefit Next? While Gulf citizens already enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Zone, the latest developments could signal wider benefits for others — particularly nationals in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where short-stay Schengen visa applications remain high. Key factors likely to influence who gets access next include: High volumes of low-risk travellers Strong trade or diplomatic relations with the EU Active cultural, academic, or diaspora ties across Europe Here is How to Boost Your Chances Travellers hoping to benefit from future relaxations should start building their case now: Check your country's visa status regularly with Schengen states Maintain a clean travel record — no overstays, no violations Use existing short-stay visas responsibly to increase trust Bottom Line: A Window into the Future of Global Travel The EU's new visa flexibility isn't just a bureaucratic update — it's a signal that global travel may soon favour those who travel smart, not just often. With India as a test case, the Schengen zone's evolving approach may soon open the doors wider for millions of non-EU nationals seeking hassle-free European access. And if you're one of the many tired of reapplying every time you want to explore Europe? This could be your ticket to a smoother, longer journey.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
More Flights, More Seats: India–Kuwait Travel Sees Big Expansion
KUWAIT CITY, July 19: In a rare and significant move, India has increased bilateral flying rights with Kuwait by 50%, raising the weekly seat capacity between the two countries from 12,000 to 18,000. This marks the first such enhancement for Kuwait in 18 years, following a previous increase from 8,320 seats in 2006. The revised agreement allows airlines from both India and Kuwait to now operate up to 18,000 seats per week in each direction. The deal was formalized through the signing of a memorandum between India's Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) President Sheikh Hamoud Al-Mubarak. The increase comes amid surging demand for travel between the two nations, with existing capacities having been fully utilized by carriers on both sides for some time. Currently, Air India Express, Akasa Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, and Kuwait Airways operate nearly 40 flights daily between India and Kuwait. Kuwait Airways leads with 54 weekly flights, followed by IndiGo with 36, making them the two largest operators on this route. The agreement reflects Kuwait's long-standing request for an increase in bilateral air rights, a demand that aligns with broader trends in the Middle East — particularly regions such as Dubai — where travel demand from and to India continues to soar. Since 2014, the Modi government has pursued a bilateral air agreement policy aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of Indian carriers. The newly signed agreement with Kuwait marks a continuation of this pro-growth, pro-aviation policy, offering increased capacity and greater flexibility for airlines on both sides to meet evolving passenger demand.
