Bengaluru: An Air India Express flight bound for Kochi was forced to make an emergency landing at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on May 18, following a fire in its right engine shortly after takeoff.
The flight, which was carrying 179 passengers and six crew members, encountered an engine fire soon after departing from Bengaluru. The flight crew promptly alerted Air Traffic Control, triggering a full-scale emergency response at the airport.
Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of Kempegowda International Airport, confirmed the incident in a statement: "On May 18, 2024, flight IX 1132 from Bengaluru to Kochi made an emergency landing at Bengaluru airport at 11:12 pm due to a reported fire in one of the engines.
"A full-scale emergency was declared, and the fire was promptly extinguished upon landing. All 179 passengers and six crew members were successfully evacuated from the aircraft."
The efficient response and management of the situation ensured the safety of everyone on board. An investigation into the cause of the engine fire is expected to follow.