New Delhi: All 141 passengers onboard an Air India Express flight were evacuated after smoke was detected on the aircraft while it was on the runway of Muscat airport on Wednesday. The incident took place following a smoke warning that came when the Kochi-bound Boeing 737-800 aircraft was taxiing.
According to the DGCA, the cabin of the Air India flight was filled with smoke after its engine number 2 caught fire.
The passengers were evacuated via slides on the aircraft, that was scheduled to fly from Muscat in Oman to Cochin on Wednesday.
According to reports, the smoke was detected on the Air India flight while the aircraft was still on the runway in Muscat. There were as many as 141 passengers, including four infants, and six crew onboard. All have been evacuated and are safe, officials said.
The DGCA said, “All passengers were safely evacuated after smoke was detected in engine no. 2 of Air India Express flight (to Cochin) on the runway at Muscat airport. Relief flight to be arranged. We will investigate the incident and also take appropriate action."
“No injuries have been reported and they have been transported to the terminal building," a DGCA official added.
“The engineering team of the airline is inspecting the aircraft and the incident has been reported to DGCA. All passengers were safely evacuated and an alternate flight is being arranged to bring the passengers to Kochi,” a statement by Air India Express read.
Alternative arrangements are being made to bring the passengers from Muscat to Kochi, the official said.
Notably, two months back, an Air India Express aircraft operating from Calicut to Dubai had to be diverted to Muscat after a burning smell was observed. No serious damage was found, as per reports.
That month, Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, held meetings with airlines and officials from his ministry and the regulator to ensure better oversight.