An Air India Express flight from Hyderabad to Phuket, Thailand, was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a technical problem on Saturday, July 19. The aircraft, identified as Flight IX110 and operated by a Boeing 737 Max 8 (registration VT-BWA), took off from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 6:40 am, around 20 minutes later than its scheduled departure of 6:20 am. However, just 16 minutes into the journey, the pilots decided to turn back and land as a safety measure. The flight was originally scheduled to land in Phuket at 11:45 am. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Hyderabad without any incident, and all passengers and crew members were unharmed.
Although the airline has not disclosed the exact nature of the technical snag, aviation experts suggest that such situations require immediate action to avoid risks. According to sources, the crew acted quickly and followed all standard safety protocols to ensure passenger safety. The aircraft’s quick return to base prevented any potential complications mid-flight.
Following the incident, the airline issued an official statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), apologising to passengers for the inconvenience. The post read, “Accept our sincere apologies for the disruption of your flight. To assist you further and check the latest status, please DM us your booking details (PNR). Thanks for your patience and understanding.” Passengers were assured that all necessary assistance, including updates on rebooking options, would be provided.
This is not the first technical issue involving Air India Express flights in recent days. Earlier, another Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Dubai was cancelled just before takeoff due to a technical fault. The aircraft, also a Boeing 737 Max with a seating capacity of 189 passengers, was scheduled to depart Jaipur International Airport at 6:35 am. However, during pre-takeoff checks on the runway, the pilot noticed a technical irregularity and decided to abort the takeoff immediately.
The aircraft was taxied back for a thorough inspection by the airline’s technical team. After the inspection, the airline decided to cancel the flight altogether rather than take any risks with passenger safety. Airport authorities confirmed that no passengers were harmed during the incident. Alternate arrangements and rebooking options were expected to be made available to affected passengers.
ALSO READ: Why every Indian city needs gender‑sensitive urban planning
ALSO READ: Why speedy justice is no longer a luxury but a right in India
The recent incidents highlight the importance of safety checks and the quick decision-making required in aviation. While technical issues can occur even in modern aircraft, the priority remains the safety of passengers and crew. Air India Express has assured travellers that investigations are underway to determine the root cause of these glitches and that all aircraft are being inspected thoroughly before their next operations.
Air India Express, a low-cost carrier under Air India, operates several international flights to destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. With growing passenger demand during the holiday season, the airline is also under pressure to maintain timely departures. However, as aviation safety experts often note, safety always comes before punctuality.
Passengers on Flight IX110 have been requested to stay in contact with the airline’s customer care team for the latest updates on their rescheduled flights. Many passengers expressed relief that the issue was detected early, ensuring their safe return. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident and ensure that all necessary protocols were followed.
The series of technical snags is also likely to prompt additional maintenance checks across Air India Express’s fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The airline’s technical crew is now conducting a detailed investigation of both the Hyderabad-Phuket flight and the Jaipur-Dubai aircraft to prevent similar issues in the future.
For now, passengers can expect minor delays as the airline ensures its fleet is in optimal condition. Air India Express has promised full support to all passengers affected by the disruptions, with options for rebooking, refunds, or alternate travel plans.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash