NEW DELHI — A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a mid-air smoke alert, prompting the pilot to issue a PAN-PAN call, signaling an urgent but non-life-threatening situation.
The flight, carrying 148 passengers and six crew members, was traveling from Bagdogra to Delhi on Monday evening when smoke was detected onboard. The aircraft was diverted to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow as a precaution.
According to the airline, the crew identified smoke in the aircraft’s avionics bay, which houses critical electronic systems, and acted swiftly to ensure passenger safety.
Instead of issuing a “Mayday” distress call, which indicates a life-threatening emergency, the pilot used a PAN-PAN call to report a serious but controlled situation requiring immediate attention.
The aircraft landed safely without incident, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Air India Express said the diversion was carried out in line with standard safety protocols, emphasizing that the decision was made to prioritize passenger safety.
Following the landing, passengers were provided refreshments and later rebooked on alternative flights to Delhi. The airline also apologized for the inconvenience caused.
The aircraft has since been classified as “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), meaning it has been grounded for detailed inspection and necessary repairs at the Lucknow airport.
The incident comes weeks after another technical issue involving an Air India Express aircraft. Earlier this month, a Hyderabad-to-Phuket flight experienced a nose wheel problem after landing at Phuket International Airport, the airline said. (Source: IANS)
