Air India Express Flight Lands Safely At Trichy Airport After Technical Snag

A Sharjah-bound Air India Express flight that took off from Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli returned to the airport shortly after takeoff on Friday. The aircraft, which had 141 passengers onboard, has landed safely, officials confirmed.

The flight, IX613, reported hydraulic failure shortly after departing at 5:40 p.m., NDTV reported. As a result, the flight operators decided to redirect it back to Tiruchirappalli.

"Following the hydraulic failure reported on Air India Express flight AXB 613, operating from Trichy to Sharjah with 141 people on board, we are relieved that the aircraft has landed safely at Trichy Airport. The crew followed all safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of every passenger during the emergency. The airport and emergency teams responded swiftly and effectively after a full emergency was declared at 18:05 IST," Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said.

Air India Express, however, said in a statement that "no emergency was declared by the operating crew."

"After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as an abundant precaution to reduce fuel and weight considering the runway length before making a safe precautionary landing. The cause of the snag will be duly investigated. In the interim, an alternative aircraft is being arranged for the onwards journey of our guests," a spokesperson of the airline said.

The aircraft was in the air for more than two and a half hours before landing at 8:15 p.m., NDTV reported, adding that officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation were in touch with Air India Express after the snag was reported.

The DGCA officials continued to monitor the developments until the flight landed at the airport.

The aircraft hovered around Tiruchirappalli while the flight operators attempted to reduce the fuel as a precaution before the emergency landing.

Twenty ambulances and fire tenders were kept on standby at the airport as a precautionary measure, news agency ANI reported, quoting Airport Director Gopalakrishnan.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin lauded the role of the flight operators for its safe landing. "My compliments to the captain and crew for the safe landing," he posted on X.

"I am heartened to hear that the Air India Express flight has landed safely. Upon receiving news of the landing gear issue, I immediately coordinated an emergency meeting with officials over the phone and instructed them to implement all necessary safety measures, including deploying fire engines, ambulances, and medical assistance. I have also now directed the District Collector to ensure the continued safety of all the passengers and to provide further assistance," Stalin further tweeted.