Lucknow, India: A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight made an emergency landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Monday evening after the crew issued a Mayday call following suspected smoke inside the aircraft, triggering a full-scale emergency response.
Flight IX 1523, operating from Bagdogra to Delhi, declared the distress call at around 4:58 pm while cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar region. There were 148 passengers and crew onboard. The cockpit reportedly received indications of possible smoke from onboard systems, prompting immediate emergency procedures.
As a precautionary measure, oxygen masks were deployed inside the cabin, leading to panic among passengers. Crew members managed the situation while coordinating with air traffic control for a diversion.
Following the Mayday alert, authorities at Lucknow airport declared a full emergency, with fire tenders, medical teams, and rescue personnel placed on standby ahead of the aircraft’s arrival.
The flight was diverted and landed safely at the airport, where emergency protocols were executed in line with standard aviation safety procedures. All passengers and crew onboard were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Initial inspections conducted after landing did not detect any visible smoke or fire despite the earlier cockpit indications. The aircraft has since been grounded as a precaution and will undergo detailed technical checks before being cleared for further operations, according to reports.
Passengers experienced delays and uncertainty regarding onward travel, with arrangements being made for alternate flights and assistance as required.
