According to Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), flight IX 398 was diverted to Kochi following a failure of the right main landing gear tyre. The aircraft touched down at 9.07 am under full emergency conditions, with all response systems activated in advance. “All emergency services were placed on standby as per protocol,” a CIAL spokesperson said.
Post-landing inspection revealed that both right-side tyres of the aircraft had burst. There were no injuries reported, and passengers disembarked safely after the aircraft was secured on the runway.
In a statement issued later, an Air India Express spokesperson said the diversion was carried out as a safety measure. The airline indicated that the suspected tyre damage may have been caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport. “The aircraft landed safely in Kochi, and all standard safety procedures were followed,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Aviation sources noted that Kozhikode’s Karipur airport, the flight’s original destination, is considered operationally challenging during emergencies. The airport is a tabletop facility, with limited runway length and steep slopes at both ends, factors that reduce safety margins during abnormal landings. In such situations, pilots typically opt for nearby airports with longer runways and better emergency handling capabilities, such as Kochi.
Following the landing, passengers were accommodated in the airport lounge while the airline arranged onward travel. Air India Express said alternative travel plans are being coordinated, and in the event of extended delays, passengers will be transported to Kozhikode by road.
Airport authorities said operations at Kochi were not disrupted, and an investigation into the incident is expected as per standard aviation safety procedures.
