An Air India Express flight bound for Jeddah was forced to return to Kannur airport on Tuesday after pilots detected a technical issue during the journey, prompting the crew to turn back as a precaution.
The flight, carrying more than 180 passengers, had departed from Kannur International Airport at 7.40 am and was on its way to the Saudi city when the issue was identified.
According to airport sources, the pilots noticed the snag around two hours after take-off and decided to discontinue the flight in line with safety procedures. The aircraft subsequently returned to Kannur and landed safely.
The unscheduled return caused a delay in the passengers’ onward journey, but no injuries or safety concerns were reported.
Confirming the incident, an Air India Express spokesperson said the crew had opted to return to the departure airport after identifying a technical problem during the flight. “The crew operating our Kannur-Jeddah flight elected to return as a precautionary measure following a technical issue,” the airline said.
The airline said arrangements were being made to operate the service using an alternative aircraft. Passengers affected by the disruption have been provided with refreshments and hotel accommodation while they await their rescheduled departure.
Air India Express also apologised for the inconvenience caused to travellers and reiterated that passenger safety remains its foremost priority.
Airport authorities said the aircraft landed safely and all passengers disembarked without any difficulty.
