An Air India Express flight carrying 160 passengers had to make an emergency landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday morning, after facing issues with its right-side landing gear and tyres. The flight, which was headed from Jeddah to Kozhikode, was redirected to Kochi for safety reasons.

What Happened During the Flight?

The flight, identified as IX 398, was about to reach Kozhikode when pilots noticed a technical problem involving the landing gear. As a precaution, they contacted air traffic control and decided to land at Cochin instead.

Airport officials confirmed the plane landed safely at 9:07 AM, and emergency services were kept ready on the ground. After landing, engineers found that both tyres on the right side had burst. Fortunately, no passengers or crew were hurt, and everyone was safely escorted out of the aircraft.

A spokesperson from Cochin International Airport said the emergency procedures worked smoothly, and the team followed all safety protocols without delay.

Recent Fog Disruptions Add to Airline Troubles

This incident comes just days after dense fog caused major delays at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is one of the busiest in the country.

On Monday, more than 220 flights were cancelled or diverted because of poor visibility. Of these, 131 were departures and 97 were arrivals. The situation remained difficult throughout the day, affecting air travel across northern India.

Five flights had to be redirected to other airports nearby. While most airlines stayed silent on the full extent of the delays, Air India confirmed it cancelled around 40 flights. The airline said that safety is always the top priority and that it is constantly monitoring weather conditions to avoid risks.

Latest Update on Air Travel Safety (Dec 2025)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently issued new safety checks and inspection protocols for all domestic flights, especially those landing at high-traffic or weather-affected airports. Airlines have also been told to upgrade their early-warning systems for landing gear and tyre pressure to avoid mid-air risks like the one faced by Air India Express.

Several airlines are also training pilots to handle weather-related situations better. This is especially important during India’s winter months, where fog and poor visibility often lead to flight delays.