Bengaluru: Panic gripped at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for sometime on Wednesday morning after a Mangaluru bound Jet Airways flight, with 65 passengers and four crew members on board, had to make an emergency landing soon after take off.
Passengers on board ATR aircraft (flight no 9W 2839) faced anxious moments when smoke was detected from the flight’s cabin just after take off. An alert was made and the aircraft had to make an emergency landing.
The runway was closed for operations for thirty minutes and other flights were delayed. According to KIA officials, three arrival flights were held on air and five departures were delayed. The runway was closed from 10.20 am to 10.51 am.
The aircraft landed safely and standard emergency procedures were followed. All passengers and crew members were deplaned and are safe. KIA officials said the aircraft rescue and firefighting team was pressed to service immediately after the alert.
Jet Airways has stated that five guests were taken to the airport medical room for first aid and others were shifted to the airport lounge. After recovering all checked-in and cabin baggage of the passengers, they were accommodated on the next Jet Airways flight to Mangaluru by 1:30 pm.
The aircraft was shifted to the parking bay for inspection by the Jet Airways engineering team. The airline had informed the Director General of Civil Aviation about the incident and would extend full co-operation in this regard, Jet Airways officials added.
