Malappuram: An Air India Express flight (IX 375) en route from Calicut to Doha made a precautionary return to Calicut International Airport on Wednesday (July 23) due to a technical issue. The flight, carrying 188 people, including crew and pilots, took off around 9:07 am, but turned back and landed safely at 11:12 am, officials confirmed.
Airport authorities clarified that the return was not an emergency landing, but rather a safety measure prompted by a malfunction in the cabin air conditioning system.
An Air India Express spokesperson said that one of our flights returned to Kerala’s Kozhikode after take-off due to a technical issue. We arranged an alternative aircraft on priority, provided the guests with refreshments during the delay and the flight has since departed.
All passengers were deboarded safely, and arrangements for food and refreshments were made at the airport while the airline worked on resolving the situation.
An Air India Express spokesperson stated that a replacement flight was scheduled to depart by 1:30 PM. “The issue is being addressed and passengers are being looked after with utmost care,” the airline added.
Earlier, an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi (AI 315) experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU) shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 22, 2025. The APU, a small engine typically located at the tail of an aircraft, powers essential systems while the main engines are off.
According to an airline spokesperson, the incident occurred after the aircraft had reached the gate and passengers had begun disembarking. The APU automatically shut down as per safety protocols, and all passengers and crew exited safely without any injuries.
While the aircraft sustained some damage, it has been grounded for a detailed technical inspection. Regulatory authorities have been informed, and further investigation is underway.
