Late on Saturday night, an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi, designated IX 1132, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kempegowda International Airport shortly after take-off due to a fire in one of its engines.
The aircraft, carrying 179 passengers, landed safely at 11:12 PM. According to Air India Express, the precautionary landing was prompted by flames emanating from the engine on the right side of the aircraft. Ground services also confirmed the presence of flames, leading to an emergency evacuation.
A spokesperson for the airline reported that the crew successfully evacuated all passengers without any injuries.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates the airport, stated that a full-scale emergency was declared and the fire was quickly extinguished upon the aircraft’s landing. “All 179 passengers and 6 crew members have been safely evacuated,” confirmed a BIAL spokesperson.
Air India Express is arranging alternative travel plans for the affected passengers and will conduct a thorough investigation with the regulator to determine the cause of the incident.
