An Air India Express aircraft operating as flight IX 398 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Kozhikode, India was compelled to execute an emergency landing at Kochi International Airport on Thursday following critical technical malfunctions. The incident, which occurred on December 18, 2025, involved a failure of the right main landing gear and subsequent tire bursts upon approach.
According to official statements from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), airport emergency protocols were immediately activated upon receiving notification of the aircraft’s distress. The airport authority confirmed the successful execution of the emergency landing procedure, with all operational systems functioning as designed to ensure passenger safety.
Air India Express representatives attributed the technical complication to suspected foreign object debris on the runway at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, which may have caused initial damage to the aircraft’s tires during takeoff. The flight crew opted for a precautionary diversion to Kochi—approximately 200 kilometers from the intended destination—after identifying potential landing gear abnormalities during flight.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft carried 160 passengers, all of whom were reported safe following the incident. Emergency services were deployed as a standard precautionary measure, though no medical attention was required. Aviation authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the precise sequence of events and contributing factors.
The incident highlights the critical importance of runway maintenance protocols and emergency preparedness within aviation infrastructure. Both Saudi and Indian aviation authorities are coordinating their investigations to determine whether additional safety measures might be necessary to prevent similar occurrences.