Bengaluru: An Air India Express flight travelling from Bengaluru to Kochi was forced to make an 'emergency landing' back at Bengaluru late Saturday night after a fire was detected in one of the engines of the aircraft, said the Bangalore International Airport Limited on Sunday.
The Air India Express in a statement said that all 179 passengers and six crew members were successfully evacuated from the aircraft following the emergency landing.
Fire was noticed minutes after take-off
According to sources, the fire was noticed minutes after the take-off. The crew members promptly notified the Air Traffic Controller, leading to the declaration of a full-scale emergency.
Following the emergency landing at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, the fire was swiftly extinguished. "On May 18, 2024, IX 1132 from Bengaluru to Kochi made an emergency landing at BLR Airport at 2312 hrs, due to a reported fire in one of the engines," a spokesperson of the BIAL, which manages KIA, said in a statement.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) spokesperson said that a full-scale emergency was declared, and the fire was promptly extinguished upon landing. "All 179 passengers and six crew members have been successfully evacuated from the aircraft, the spokesperson added.
Air India Express on fire
An Air India Express spokesperson said that the Bengaluru-Kochi flight opted to return and conducted a precautionary landing at Bengaluru due to suspected flames from the right engine after takeoff. Ground services also confirmed the presence of flames, prompting the evacuation procedure.
"The crew accomplished an evacuation with no injuries to any guests. We regret the inconvenience this has caused and are working to provide alternative arrangements for our guests to reach their destination as soon as possible," it said.
"A thorough investigation with the regulator shall be accomplished to establish the cause,” it said.
(With PTI inputs)
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