Air India Express Plane Makes Hard Landing in Phuket, Runway Temporarily Closed
PHUKET, Thailand – Phuket International Airport briefly closed its runway Wednesday after an Air India Express plane experienced a hard landing, damaging its nose landing gear. The incident occurred as the aircraft was arriving from Hyderabad, India.
All 133 passengers onboard were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported, according to local media. Authorities have not yet specified the extent of the damage or an estimated timeframe for the runway’s reopening.
The hard landing prompted a temporary suspension of flight operations at the airport, potentially impacting travel schedules for both arriving and departing passengers. Phuket International Airport serves as a major gateway for tourism to the popular Thai island, handling millions of international visitors annually.
Details remain limited, but reports indicate the incident is under investigation. Air India Express has not yet released an official statement.
This incident comes as air travel continues to rebound globally, with increasing passenger numbers placing greater demands on airport infrastructure and airline operations. According to data from the Airports Council International, passenger traffic in the Asia-Pacific region has seen significant growth in recent months.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Sources: The Phuket News, Khaosod English, The Economic Times.