An Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi made a precautionary emergency landing at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on the evening of March 30, 2026, after the crew reported a suspected smoke or fumes alert in the cockpit system. All 148 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.
Incident during the flight
The Boeing aircraft, operating as IX‑1523, was cruising at around 36,000 feet over Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh when the pilots noticed smoke or fumes emanating from the avionics panel area. As a standard safety response, the crew issued a “Mayday” or priority “PAN PAN” call and deployed oxygen masks in the cabin, which caused visible panic among some passengers.
Emergency landing and response
Air traffic control promptly diverted the flight to Lucknow, where the airport activated its emergency protocol, including fire services, medical teams, and security personnel. The plane landed safely at approximately 5:17 pm, and all passengers were evacuated without incident. Ground staff later reassured them and provided updates on re‑routing options.
Aftermath and investigations
Initial checks revealed no visible fire or major structural damage, but the aircraft has been grounded for detailed technical inspection and formal airworthiness certification. Aviation authorities and the airline are reviewing flight data and cockpit recordings to determine the exact cause of the alert. The incident is being treated as a precautionary safety measure, highlighting the robust emergency‑response systems in Indian civil aviation.
