Lucknow: A full-scale emergency was declared at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) on Monday evening after an Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi issued a ‘Mayday call’ mid-air following suspected smoke inside the aircraft.The flight, IX 1523, with 148 passengers and crew was cruising at 36,000 feet above Ghagara river in UP’s Ambedkar Nagar district around 4.58pm when pilots detected smoke emanating from the aircraft’s avionic panels in the cabin and immediately informed air traffic control.“As a precautionary measure, the crew declared Mayday and triggered the deployment of oxygen masks for passengers,” said a source familiar with the incident.Several passengers later said the sudden drop of oxygen masks, combined with the Mayday announcement, led to fear and panic in the aircraft. The crew tried to pacify some anxious passengers and calmly guided them on using the masks while the aircraft prepared for diversion.Following the alert, the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow and made a safe precautionary landing at Lucknow airport at 5.17pm. Emergency response teams, including airport fire and medical services, were positioned in advance as part of standard protocols for such situations.All passengers and crew deboarded safely and were escorted to Terminal 3 of the airport. Officials said no injuries were reported. A detailed inspection of the aircraft was carried out by the airport fire department and technical teams, but no visible signs of smoke or fire were found.Despite the absence of any immediate findings, the aircraft was grounded as a safety measure and will return to service only after a comprehensive technical evaluation and formal certification of airworthiness. The aircraft, Airbus A320-214 with tail VT-EXA, is more than 11 years old and was delivered to Air India Express in Feb 2015 on lease.The incident triggered frustration among some passengers due to delays and uncertainty about onward travel. One passenger, Hemron Michael, shared an image of the oxygen mask deployment on social media, seeking clarity on revised travel arrangements as the delay extended beyond two hours.According to officials from Lucknow International Airport Ltd, some passengers were accommodated on alternate flights to Delhi, while others were provided overnight hotel accommodation and assured priority booking on the next available flights.Airport officials reiterated that the emergency procedures followed during the incident ensured passenger safety, noting that precautionary diversions and grounding of aircraft are standard practice when potential technical issues are reported mid-flight.
