Flight Makes Unscheduled Landing Over Safety Concerns
An Air India Express aircraft operating a flight from Saudi Arabia to Kerala was forced to make a precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport on Thursday. The flight, which originated in Jeddah and was bound for Kozhikode, was diverted to Cochin as a safety measure following concerns about potential damage to one of its tyres.
Cause Traced to Jeddah Runway Incident
According to an official statement from an Air India Express spokesperson, the decision to divert was prompted by a suspected tyre issue. The damage was likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport during take-off. The airline emphasized that the landing in Cochin was purely precautionary to ensure the highest levels of passenger and crew safety.
The incident occurred on December 18, 2025. The spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft “made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport.” This type of incident, known as a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) event, is taken very seriously in aviation due to the risks it poses to aircraft integrity.
Passengers Safe, Operations Assessed
The successful landing was carried out without incident at Cochin International Airport. All passengers and crew onboard the flight were reported to be safe and were attended to by airline staff following the unscheduled landing. The aircraft was taken out of service for a thorough technical inspection by engineering teams.
Air India Express is now coordinating alternative travel arrangements for the affected passengers to reach their original destination, Kozhikode. The airline has also initiated a review of the event, and the relevant aviation authorities have likely been informed as per standard protocol.
This event highlights the critical importance of runway safety checks and the robust precautionary procedures followed by airlines to mitigate any potential risks. The quick decision to divert to the well-equipped Cochin International Airport, a major aviation hub in South India, ensured a safe resolution to the situation.
