A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight had to make an emergency landing in Lucknow following a mid-air smoke alert. The pilot issued a PAN-PAN call to indicate the urgency of the situation. The flight, carrying 148 passengers, was diverted to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport after smoke was detected during the journey.
The incident occurred while the flight was en route from Bagdogra to Delhi on Monday evening. Instead of a ‘Mayday’ distress call, the pilot opted for a ‘PAN-PAN’ call, which denotes a serious but not immediately life-threatening situation. The crew noticed smoke in the aircraft’s avionics bay, which houses critical electronic systems.
With 148 passengers and six crew members on board, everyone remained unharmed. The aircraft landed safely in Lucknow without any reported injuries. Following standard safety procedures, the crew acted swiftly by diverting the flight as a precautionary measure to prioritize passenger safety.
After the landing, passengers were given refreshments and then accommodated on alternative flights to Delhi. An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that the decision to divert was in line with safety protocols. The airline expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers.
The aircraft was declared ‘Aircraft on Ground’ (AOG) after landing, indicating that it has been grounded for a detailed inspection and necessary repairs. Currently stationed at the Lucknow airport, the plane will undergo necessary checks and maintenance. Earlier this month, another Air India Express aircraft faced a technical issue after landing at Phuket International Airport.
On March 11, the airline’s Hyderabad–Phuket flight encountered a problem with the nose wheel upon arrival in Thailand. Flight IX 938, departing from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, experienced the issue after landing at Phuket Airport. Air India Express confirmed the incident, highlighting the technical problem with the nose wheel post-landing in Phuket.
