Flight to Doha Aborted: Air India Express Flight Returns to Kozhikode with 188 Passengers

Kozhikode (The Uttam Hindu): An Air India Express flight flying from Kozhikode in Kerala to Doha, the capital of Qatar, developed a technical fault on Wednesday morning. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the problem in the plane, after which the plane was safely landed back at Kozhikode airport with 188 passengers.

Airport officials said that flight number IX 375 took off from Kozhikode to Doha at 9:17 am. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot found some technical problem in the cabin air conditioning (AC) system of the aircraft. After which the pilot decided to bring the plane back to Kozhikode, giving priority to safety. The plane landed safely at the airport about two hours later at 11:12 am. There were a total of 188 people on board the plane, including the crew. Officials clarified that it was not an emergency landing, but a precautionary landing.

On the incident, an Air India Express spokesperson said, "One of our flights returned to Kozhikode after takeoff due to a technical fault. We arranged an alternate aircraft for the passengers on priority basis. Refreshments were provided to all guests during the delay, after which the flight departed for Doha."

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