Sharjah-Kozhikode flight diverted to Kochi after technical issue

An Air Arabia flight operating from Sharjah to Kozhikode was diverted to Cochin International Airport in the early hours of Saturday after the crew reported a technical issue involving the aircraft’s engine reverse thrust system, airport officials said.

The flight, G9 454, was carrying 170 passengers, nine infants and crew members. All on board were reported safe.

According to officials of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), the airport authorities activated emergency response procedures after receiving information about the technical snag. A local standby was declared at 3.19 am, followed by a full emergency at 3.34 am to ensure that all emergency services and response teams were in position.

Officials added the aircraft landed safely at Kochi airport at 3.38 am and was escorted to a designated parking bay. The emergency status was withdrawn seven minutes later, at 3.45 am, after the aircraft was inspected and all necessary safety checks were completed.

Airport officials said the diversion was carried out as a precautionary measure in line with the established aviation safety protocols. Emergency personnel, including fire and rescue teams, remained on standby during the landing.

The technical issue was subsequently attended to by maintenance personnel. After the snag was rectified and the aircraft was cleared for operations, the flight resumed its journey to Kozhikode.

The aircraft departed from Kochi at 7.15 am, nearly four hours after its unscheduled landing. Officials said airport operations at Kochi remained unaffected during the emergency response and no disruption was reported to scheduled flight movements.