India Express Flight Lands Safely After Mid-Air Hydraulic Failure

A Sharjah-bound flight circled for over two hours to burn fuel before making a safe landing in Tiruchirappalli, with emergency services on standby.

Air India Express Flight IX613, carrying 144 passengers, faced a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff from Tiruchirappalli en route to Sharjah.
Pilots Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal and Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole skillfully managed the situation, deciding to circle the airspace to burn off excess fuel.
The aircraft landed safely at 8:15 PM, with passengers applauding the crew's handling of the situation.
Emergency services, including 20 ambulances and 18 fire engines, were on standby at Tiruchirappalli airport, although the crew did not declare an emergency.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated an investigation into the hydraulic system failure, while an alternative flight was arranged for passengers.