Air India Express flight makes emergency landing after smoke alarm triggers panic
Babushahi Bureau
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), September 3, 2026: An Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Delhi made an emergency landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on Thursday morning after a smoke detector in the aircraft’s cargo hold was activated shortly after take-off, triggering panic among passengers.
Flight IX-1253, carrying 155 passengers and crew members, took off from Varanasi at around 8 am. After the smoke alarm was triggered, the pilot alerted Lucknow Air Traffic Control (ATC) and sought permission to divert the aircraft as a precaution. The flight landed safely at Lucknow airport at around 8:52 am, following which all passengers and crew were evacuated. Some passengers reportedly experienced breathing difficulties.
Airport emergency teams, including the fire brigade and technical personnel, were deployed immediately after the aircraft landed. Initial checks found no visible signs of fire or smoke inside the aircraft, while a technical investigation is underway to determine the cause of the smoke alarm activation. The aircraft was subsequently moved to the taxiway.