An Air India Express flight, AXB 613, successfully landed at Tiruchirappalli airport after reporting a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. The flight, which was headed to Sharjah with 144 passengers on board, took off at 5:40 PM and experienced the technical snag soon after departure.

Following the report of the hydraulic issue, the pilots were instructed to return to the airport. However, due to the aircraft being fully fueled, a precautionary landing was deemed inadvisable. The crew chose to burn off fuel by flying in a holding pattern around the airport for over two and a half hours.

The aircraft finally touched down safely at 8:15 PM, prompting cheers and applause from relieved passengers. Video footage captured the successful landing, showing that the landing gear was engaged properly.

Prior to the landing, Tiruchirappalli Airport officials had prepared for an emergency situation, with 20 ambulances and 18 fire engines on standby. Airport Director Gopalakrishnan confirmed that the aircraft had been circling the area to reduce fuel levels, as tracked by flight monitoring services.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu instructed officials to remain on high alert during the incident, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) coordinating the response.

This incident underscores the importance of emergency protocols in aviation, highlighting the professionalism of the flight crew in managing the situation effectively and ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.