- Flight IX 1253 took off from Varanasi airport at around 8 am on Thursday.
- Shortly after takeoff, a smoke detection alarm in the cargo hold went off.
- The pilot contacted Lucknow and received clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
- The aircraft landed at Lucknow airport at 8.52 am.
- All 155 passengers and crew members were deboarded by 9.02 am.
- An emergency response team and fire brigade inspected the aircraft; no smoke was visually observed.
- The airline arranged an alternative aircraft to connect passengers to their destination.
- An Air India Express flight travelling from Varanasi to Delhi made an emergency landing in Lucknow after the crew received indications of possible smoke in the aircraft's cargo hold.
- The airline stated, "Prioritising safety, the crew operating one of our Varanasi-Delhi flights elected to make a precautionary diversion to Lucknow due to a technical issue."
- An investigation was underway to ascertain the reason for the fire alarm.
An Air India Express flight IX 1253 from Varanasi to Delhi made an emergency landing at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Thursday morning due to a smoke alarm in the cargo hold. The flight took off at around 8 am and landed safely at 8:52 am after the pilot contacted air traffic control for clearance.18
Upon landing, all 155 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated by 9:02 am. The airline stated, "Prioritising safety, the crew operating one of our Varanasi-Delhi flights elected to make a precautionary diversion to Lucknow due to a technical issue."59
Fire brigade personnel and technical experts inspected the aircraft, finding no signs of smoke. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the alarm. The airline is arranging an alternative aircraft to connect passengers to their destination promptly.10
Flight IX 1253 was diverted after the smoke detection alarm went off shortly after takeoff. The quick response from the crew and emergency teams ensured the safety of all onboard, highlighting the importance of safety protocols in aviation.2
The incident underscores the effectiveness of emergency procedures in aviation, as no injuries were reported and all passengers were safely deboarded.
“The flight IX 1253 landed at 8.52 am and all passengers were deboarded by 9.02 am. An alternative aircraft is being arranged to connect guests to their destination, while an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the alarm.”
