An Air India Express flight destined for Sharjah successfully landed at Tiruchirappalli airport on Friday evening following a technical issue that arose during the flight. The aircraft, designated as Flight IX613, circled the Trichy airspace for more than an hour to burn off excess fuel prior to executing a precautionary landing.
Air India Express Flight IX 613, which was traveling from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah, has successfully landed at Tiruchirapalli airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was overseeing the situation. The landing gear was deployed, and the flight completed its landing without incident. Consequently, the airport was placed on alert status, as stated by the civil aviation ministry.
In light of previous reports concerning an emergency, a representative from Air India Express stated, “We acknowledge the media coverage regarding an Air India Express flight on the Tiruchirappalli-Sharjah route. We wish to clarify that the operating crew did not declare any emergency.”
The representative clarified that the aircraft maneuvered in the airspace as a safety measure to minimize fuel and weight prior to landing, taking into account the length of the runway.
“Following the notification of a technical issue, the aircraft performed several circuits in the specified zone as a precautionary measure before executing a safe landing,” the representative stated. “An investigation into the cause of the issue will be conducted. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for an alternative aircraft to continue the journey of our passengers.”
The director of Trichy airport stated that the pilot notified ground control regarding the hydraulic failure, as reported by India Today. Local officials have confirmed that there is no immediate cause for alarm.
“It is currently circling around the airspace to empty the fuel. As a precautionary measure, we have kept ambulances and rescue teams on standby,” India Today quoted the District Collector as saying.
The flight tracking platform flightradar24.com indicated that the aircraft was circling above Tiruchirappalli while it awaited landing clearance.
To prioritize safety, more than 20 ambulances and fire service vehicles were positioned on standby at the airport, as stated by Airport Director Gopalakrishnan.
“I am pleased to learn that the #AirIndiaExpress flight has landed safely,” remarked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on X. “Upon being informed of the landing gear issue, I promptly convened an emergency meeting with officials via phone and directed them to execute all essential safety protocols, which included the deployment of fire engines, ambulances, and medical support.”
