An Air India Express flight bound for Kozhikode carried 160 passengers and made a precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday following reports of suspected tyre damage. The incident occurred after the crew detected a possible tyre-related issue during the flight.
The flight, designated as IX 398, originated from Jeddah and was diverted to Kochi after signs of a tyre problem were observed. An Air India Express spokesperson stated, “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.”
The spokesperson clarified that only the tyres were affected and emphasized, “There was no issue with the landing gear.” He highlighted that the diversion was a safety measure since Kozhikode’s Karipur airport operates as a tabletop airport, which can complicate emergency landings.
The precautionary landing took place smoothly, ensuring the safety of all passengers aboard. “All guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson added.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) reported the aircraft landed safely at around 9.07 am. They noted that the flight was redirected due to a technical issue concerning the right main landing gear and tyre failure. Emergency services activated in advance confirmed no injuries occurred among the passengers or the crew.
A CIAL spokesperson later mentioned, “Post-landing inspection confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst.” Following this incident, the airport authority swiftly conducted a thorough inspection of the runway, which was subsequently cleared for normal operations.
