A transnational flight operated by Azur Air was compelled to execute an emergency landing at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport on Friday afternoon, January 23, 2026, following a technical failure. The aircraft, a Boeing 757-200 identified as flight ZF2998, was en route from the popular resort destination of Phuket, Thailand, to its final destination of Barnaul, Russia.
Airport authorities confirmed the incident was triggered by a malfunction in the aircraft’s right engine, prompting the flight crew to declare an in-flight emergency. Despite the critical situation, the pilots successfully navigated the aircraft to a safe landing at 4:51 PM local time. All 246 individuals on board, comprising 239 passengers and 7 crew members, were reported to be safe and unharmed.
Following standard safety protocols and assessment procedures, all passengers and crew have been temporarily relocated to local hotels in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Airport officials have arranged for their accommodation and necessities while maintenance crews inspect the aircraft and arrange for onward travel. The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous safety protocols and pilot training in managing unforeseen technical failures during flight operations.