Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi makes emergency landing

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On Sunday, in a surprising turn of events a fire was discovered in one of the engines on an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi after which the Bangalore International Airport Limited reported that the aircraft made an emergency landing in Bengaluru.

According to a statement provided to PTI by Air India Express, all of the passengers and crew were successfully and safely evacuated and there were no injuries. Sources claim that the fire was discovered shortly after the flight took off. After informing the air traffic controller, the crew members declared a full-scale emergency. The fire then was put out shortly after the emergency landing at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.

"On May 18, 2024, IX 1132 from Bengaluru to Kochi made an unexpected 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.

After a full-scale emergency was declared, the fire was quickly put out as it touched down. Six crew members and all 179 passengers have safely left the aircraft, according to a spokesman for Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). An official for Air India Express stated that the Bengaluru-Kochi flight 'decided' to return and made a precautionary emergency landing in Bengaluru as a result of possible flames from the right engine after takeoff. There was an evacuation once the ground services reported flames as well.

"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 Inputs from PTI)