KOZHIKODE— An Air India Express (IX) flight en route to Doha (DOH) from Calicut International Airport (CCJ) returned to its origin two hours after departure due to a technical malfunction, according to airport officials.
The aircraft, operating as flight IX 375 and carrying 188 people, including crew, took off around 9:07 AM IST but made a precautionary return to Calicut by 11:12 AM IST after a fault was detected in the cabin’s air conditioning system.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir India Express Flight Returns to Calicut
According to officials at Calicut International Airport (CCJ), the Air India Express (IX) flight bound for Doha (DOH) encountered a non-critical technical issue shortly after departure. While the issue did not constitute an emergency, the flight crew opted to return as a safety measure.
A spokesperson for Air India Express stated that the issue was isolated to the cabin’s air conditioning system.
Although the aircraft was fit for flight, the airline prioritized passenger safety and comfort by initiating a return. The landing was conducted without incident.
Passengers were safely deboarded upon arrival, and airport authorities confirmed there was no panic or distress during the flight or landing.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAirline Response and Passenger Care
Air India Express (IX) responded swiftly by initiating ground support protocols. Arrangements were made to accommodate all 188 passengers at the terminal. This included providing meals, water, and rest facilities while the airline worked to resolve the issue.
An alternate aircraft was scheduled to operate the route, with the airline announcing a revised departure time of 1:30 PM IST. Engineers began assessing whether the original aircraft could be serviced in time for redeployment, though passenger transfer to a replacement aircraft remained the preferred solution.
The return was described as a “precautionary landing”, a standard protocol when any in-flight technical anomaly is detected. No distress signals were issued, and the aircraft remained under full control throughout the operation.
This incident underscores the proactive safety standards maintained by Air India Express (IX), particularly on international routes originating from busy hubs like Calicut International Airport (CCJ).
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalSimilar Incident
An Air India Express (IX) flight from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR) to Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue on January 25, 2025.
The Airbus A320-200 operating the daily IX2563 service experienced the issue while climbing through 20,000 feet, prompting the crew to initiate a precautionary return to BLR without declaring an emergency.
Mid-Air Technical Glitch Triggers Return
Air India Express (IX), a low-cost carrier owned by the Tata Group, operates a daily service between Bengaluru (BLR) and Visakhapatnam (VTZ) using its Airbus A320 fleet. On January 25, 2025, flight IX2563 departed from Bengaluru at 4:46 AM UTC but encountered technical complications during ascent.
As per data from FlightRadar24, the issue arose while the aircraft was climbing at approximately 20,000 feet. The pilots immediately discontinued the ascent and contacted air traffic control (ATC) to arrange for a precautionary landing back at the origin airport.
Despite the disruption, no emergency was declared. The aircraft made a heavy landing at Kempegowda International Airport at 5:27 AM UTC (10:57 AM IST), roughly 40 minutes after departure.
The aircraft involved in the incident was an Airbus A320-200, bearing registration number VT-ATF. Although the nature of the technical fault remains undisclosed, airline and airport officials confirmed that the landing was a precautionary measure rather than an emergency.
Passengers were reportedly unharmed, and there was no indication of fuel dumping, which is typically unnecessary for short domestic sectors. The aircraft returned without reaching cruising altitude, minimizing further risk or operational impact.
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