Saudi-bound Air India Express Flight Makes Emergency Landing

After a possible malfunction in a crucial aircraft system, a flight with a destination of Saudi Arabia made an emergency landing in India on Friday.

The Times of India reported on Friday that the Air India Express flight was travelling from the southern Indian city of Kozhikode to the eastern Saudi Arabian province of Dammam.

The TOI report states that 182 people were on board the flight. The aircraft was too hefty to attempt the emergency landing because it had adequate fuel for the nearly five-hour flight to Dammam.

Before safely landing in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, Air Indian Express aircraft IX385 reportedly splashed fuel over the Arabian Sea to lighten its load.

The Adani Group, which runs the airport, declared a full emergency and put all rescue vehicles—including fire trucks, ambulances from neighbouring hospitals, and police—on standby.

However, the landing was a success.

On Friday night, a another aeroplane was scheduled to transport the passengers to Dammam.

According to other sources, the plane touched the runway with its tail, which is typically the result of a pilot error during takeoff.