A suspected tyre issue prompted an Air India Express flight bound for Bahrain to make a precautionary landing on Tuesday, according to a source at the airport.
The aircraft, carrying 105 passengers, had taken off from Cochin International Airport but was “called back” shortly after tyre debris was discovered on the runway, the source said.
Flight IX 471, which departed at 10:45 am, landed safely at the airport at 12:35 pm. A full emergency was declared to ensure the aircraft’s safe landing, which was later withdrawn, an airport spokesperson confirmed.
The tyre issue was identified shortly after take-off, and as a safety precaution, the flight was instructed to return to Cochin Airport.
All passengers were accommodated on an alternative flight, which departed at 2:45 pm, the spokesperson added.