An Air India Express flight operating between Hyderabad and Phuket encountered a technical issue with its nose wheel after landing at Phuket International Airport, leading to a temporary suspension of airport operations on Wednesday.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-MAX 8, remained stranded on the runway following the incident, prompting authorities to halt all aircraft movements at the airport until the situation could be safely managed.

Airport officials initiated safety procedures while airline crews worked to ensure the safe deplaning of passengers.

Nose-Wheel Malfunction Reported

According to airline officials, the incident occurred when the aircraft experienced a malfunction involving the nose wheel shortly after landing.

The nose wheel forms a crucial part of an aircraft’s landing gear system, helping the plane steer and manoeuvre while taxiing on the ground.

When such a malfunction occurs, aircraft movement becomes restricted, and the plane may need to remain stationary on the runway until technical teams intervene.

In this case, the aircraft remained stuck on the runway, forcing airport authorities to temporarily suspend flight operations.

Airline Confirms Technical Issue

Air India Express confirmed the incident in an official statement.

“We confirm that our Hyderabad–Phuket flight on March 11 experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport,” the airline said.

The carrier emphasised that all standard safety procedures were followed by the flight crew after the issue was identified.

The airline added that passengers onboard the aircraft were safely deplaned once the situation was brought under control.

However, the airline did not immediately disclose the exact number of passengers on board the flight.

Flight Timing Details

According to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, the aircraft involved in the incident was Flight IX 938.

The flight details indicate that:

• The aircraft departed Hyderabad at 6:42 am, slightly later than its scheduled departure time of 6:20 am.

• It arrived in Phuket at around 11:40 am local time.

Shortly after landing, the nose-wheel issue was detected, prompting the suspension of operations on the runway.

Runway Temporarily Closed

Due to the aircraft being stuck on the runway, Phuket International Airport temporarily halted all takeoffs and landings as a precaution.

Airport authorities initiated standard safety protocols, including securing the aircraft and ensuring passenger safety.

Technical teams and airport ground staff are now working to clear the runway and restore normal flight operations as soon as possible.

Temporary runway closures are standard procedure in such situations to prevent potential risks to other aircraft.

Passenger Safety Prioritised

The airline reiterated that passenger safety remained the top priority during the incident.

After the aircraft stopped on the runway, the crew followed established safety procedures and arranged for passengers to disembark safely.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or safety concerns among passengers or crew members.

Airlines typically follow strict emergency protocols in such situations to ensure the orderly evacuation and safe handling of passengers.

Air India Operations in West Asia Continue

Separately, Air India and Air India Express confirmed that they will continue operating multiple flights to and from West Asia, despite the evolving geopolitical situation in the region.

According to the airline, both carriers together will operate 58 scheduled and non-scheduled flights on Wednesday.

These flights include services to destinations such as Jeddah and Muscat.

Flight Plans for Jeddah and Muscat

Air India said it will operate eight flights to and from Jeddah, including round-trip services from Delhi and Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Air India Express will operate 14 scheduled flights to and from Muscat.

The low-cost carrier will also run round-trip flights from Hyderabad and Kozhikode to Jeddah on Wednesday.

Airlines have been carefully adjusting operations due to airspace restrictions and closures in parts of the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Aviation Safety Measures

Incidents involving landing gear or nose-wheel issues are treated with high priority in aviation safety procedures.

Aircraft are equipped with multiple monitoring systems to detect such problems during landing or taxiing.

When a malfunction occurs, airports typically suspend runway operations temporarily to allow technicians and emergency crews to manage the situation safely.

These protocols help ensure the safety of passengers, crew members and other aircraft operating at the airport.

Conclusion

The Air India Express Hyderabad–Phuket flight incident involving a nose-wheel malfunction led to a temporary disruption at Phuket International Airport.

While the aircraft remained stranded on the runway for a period, all passengers were safely deplaned and no injuries were reported.

Airport authorities and airline teams are now working to clear the aircraft and restore normal runway operations, while investigations into the technical issue are expected to follow.

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