An emergency landing was executed by an Air India Express flight with 148 passengers on board traveling from Bagdogra, West Bengal, to Delhi. The incident occurred when a smoke alarm was activated mid-flight, leading to the diversion of the Airbus A320 aircraft, designated as flight IX1523, to Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Monday evening due to smoke detection in the avionics bay, where crucial aviation electronics are housed.
In response to the situation, the pilot issued a “Mayday” distress call, prompting prompt notification of Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Lucknow. The aircraft landed safely at approximately 5:20 pm, and all passengers were evacuated without any reported injuries.
Passengers were then rebooked on alternative flights to Delhi, with some choosing full refunds while others were provided hotel accommodations and rescheduled on subsequent services. An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident, emphasizing passenger safety as the top priority during the landing in Lucknow.
Subsequently, the aircraft was designated as “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) following the technical fault that necessitated immediate inspection and repairs before resuming operations. Technical teams are currently conducting further checks on the aircraft stationed at Lucknow airport.