A major aviation mishap was averted when an Air India Express flight, IX 398, traveling from Jeddah to Kozhikode, was diverted to Kochi due to suspected tyre damage.
The flight, carrying 160 passengers, made a "precautionary landing" at Cochin International Airport at 9:07 AM.
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed that the damage to the tyre was likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport.
"The aircraft landed safely in Kochi, and all passengers are being transferred to Kozhikode by road. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority in every aspect of our operations," the spokesperson said.
Earlier, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) had issued a statement describing the situation as an "emergency landing" caused by a technical issue involving the right main landing gear and tyre failure.
However, the airline clarified that the flight was diverted only due to the tyre burst and that there were no issues with the landing gear.
"Additionally, it was not an emergency landing, but rather a precautionary landing in Kochi, as Kozhikode (Karipur) is a tabletop airport," the airline official explained.
A spokesperson from CIAL confirmed that all emergency services were activated in advance, and there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew members.
"Post-landing inspections confirmed that both right-side tyres had burst," he added.