Air India Express Hard Landing at Phuket Airport: Runway Closed for 5 Hours
An Air India Express flight from Hyderabad to Phuket made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on Wednesday, March 11, triggering a five-hour runway closure. The incident happened around noon local time and quickly drew attention as one of the first major aviation events in Thailand this week. Luckily, every single person on board walked away unharmed.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft (registration VT-BWQ) touched down at 11:24 am—16 minutes ahead of schedule. A detached wheel and damaged nose landing gear left the plane stuck on the runway. Airport teams moved fast to secure the area and begin removal work.
What Exactly Happened During the Hard Landing
The flight carried 131 passengers, including two infants, and seven crew members. According to initial checks, the hard landing caused the nose wheel issue. Air India Express confirmed the problem in a short statement: “We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on 11 March experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport. The crew followed all standard protocols, and passengers were safely deplaned.”
No smoke, fire, or panic was reported. Passengers were calmly escorted to the terminal waiting area within minutes. The airline praised the crew’s quick thinking and the airport staff’s professional handling.
Phuket Airport Response and Runway Closure
Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing the runway from 12:08 pm to 6 pm local time. The five-hour shutdown allowed teams to tow the aircraft and complete safety inspections. Several incoming flights circled nearby airspace or diverted to alternate airports, causing minor delays for travellers.
Airport officials say normal operations have now resumed, but they urge passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Anyone affected by the Air India Express hard landing at Phuket Airport should contact the airline directly for rebooking or refund options.
Why This Incident Matters Right Now
Phuket remains one of India’s favourite holiday destinations, with thousands of tourists flying in daily. Even though hard landings are rare, they remind everyone how important safety checks and crew training are. Modern Boeing 737 aircraft are built to handle tough landings, and today’s outcome proves those systems work.
Travel experts note that such events rarely lead to injuries when protocols are followed—which they clearly were here. For Indian travellers heading to Thailand this season, the news highlights one simple tip: always keep your phone charged and the airline app open for real-time alerts.
What Passengers Should Do Next
If your flight was delayed or diverted because of the Phuket Airport runway closure, reach out to Air India Express customer care right away. Most passengers on the affected Hyderabad-Phuket service have already been accommodated on later flights or given hotel vouchers where needed.
No further technical details have been released yet, and the airline has promised a full investigation. For now, the focus remains on the safe return of all 133 passengers and crew.
This Air India Express hard landing at Phuket Airport was handled smoothly and quickly. It caused temporary disruption but zero injuries—a clear win for aviation safety standards in 2026. Stay tuned for more updates as the official report comes in.
