An Air India Express flight carrying 141 passengers safely executed an emergency landing at Tiruchirappalli airport on Friday evening following a mid-air technical issue. The flight, designated AXB 613, was en route from Tiruchirappalli to Sharjah when it encountered a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at 8:15 PM after circling the airport for over two hours to burn off excess fuel. “The crew followed all safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of every passenger during the emergency,” stated Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. He praised the swift coordination of the airport’s emergency teams and announced a thorough investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to determine the cause of the failure.
After safe landing, Air India Express Flight IX 613's Pilot Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal and Co-pilot Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole left the Tiruchirapalli airport.
“The DGCA has been instructed to conduct a thorough examination of the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the hydraulic issue,” the ministry added. In the meantime, Air India Express has been advised to provide all necessary assistance to the passengers, including arrangements for their onward journeys.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed relief over the incident, commending the crew for their professionalism. "The courage and calm professionalism of the cockpit and cabin crew truly shone during this trying and tense moment," Raj Bhavan quoted Ravi as saying. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to all involved, including emergency services, for ensuring the safety of everyone on board.
The aircraft, which took off at 5:40 PM, encountered issues with its landing gear, prompting it to circle the airport for two hours. Reports indicate that the plane completed 24 small loops and three larger ones before successfully landing with the landing gear deployed normally.
Air India Express issued a statement clarifying the situation: "We are aware of media reports related to an Air India Express flight operating on the Tiruchirappalli – Sharjah route. We would like to clarify 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 onward journey of our guests. We regret the inconvenience and reiterate our commitment to prioritising safety in every aspect of our operations."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his relief on social media, stating, “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. My compliments to the Captain and crew for the safe landing.”