Air India Express Hyderabad-Phuket flight stranded at Phuket Airport after nose wheel failure

*An Air India Express flight travelling from Hyderabad to Phuket was involved in a landing incident on Wednesday after a technical issue with its nose wheel*

Published: 2026-03-13 20:49 UTC Event date: 2026-03-11

An Air India Express flight from Hyderabad to Phuket was left stranded on the runway at Phuket International Airport on Wednesday, March 11, following a technical issue with its nose wheel during landing. All passengers were safely deplaned after the incident, with airport authorities and airline staff following standard safety protocols.

According to an Air India Express spokesperson, the crew responded swiftly to the technical malfunction. "We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on 11 March experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport. The crew followed all standard protocols, and guests were deplaned," the spokesperson said. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

The incident temporarily affected runway operations at Phuket International Airport, a key hub for both domestic and international travel in southern Thailand. Airport officials coordinated with airline staff to ensure the safety of all on board and to clear the aircraft from the runway as quickly as possible. While the situation caused some delays for other arriving and departing flights, normal operations were restored later in the day.

The flight disruption comes at a time when Air India has announced a phased increase in fuel surcharges on both domestic and international routes, a move that will impact travelers to and from Phuket. The airline cited a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region as the reason for the surcharge hike. For Southeast Asia routes, including flights to Phuket, the fuel surcharge will increase from USD 40 to USD 60 for all new bookings made from March 12.

Local tourism operators in Phuket, who rely heavily on direct flights from India and other markets, may feel the effects of both the temporary flight disruption and the higher ticket prices resulting from the increased surcharges. Indian tourists represent a significant share of Phuket’s international arrivals, and flight reliability and affordability are key concerns for both visitors and the local hospitality sector.

Air India clarified that tickets issued before the surcharge implementation will not be affected unless passengers make changes to their travel plans. Further adjustments to fuel surcharges for routes to other regions, including Europe, North America, and the Far East, are set to be introduced in later phases.

Authorities at Phuket International Airport are continuing to work closely with airlines to maintain safety and minimise disruptions. Travellers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules and fare changes.

Source: https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/air-india-express-flight-from-hyderabad-suffers-nose-wheel-issue-on-phuket-international-airport-runway-23620366