Air India Express flight diverted to Lucknow after distress call; deployment of oxygen masks triggers panic among passengers

LUCKNOW: A full emergency was declared at Lucknow’s Chaudhry Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) on Monday evening after an Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi sent out a distress call in mid-air due to suspected smoke coming from the aircraft.The flight IX 1523 was cruising at 36,000 feet above the Ghagara river in Ambedkar Nagar district at around 4:58 pm when the pilot claimed to have noticed smoke coming from the avionics panel in the cabin and immediately informed the air traffic control.“As a precaution, the crew declared a distress call, triggering the deployment of oxygen masks and causing panic among some passengers,” a source familiar with the incident said.Several passengers later said the sudden drop of the oxygen masks, combined with the distress announcement, led to moments of fear and confusion inside the plane. Some passengers reported that anxiety quickly spread as flight crews rushed to reassure passengers and calmly instruct them on how to use masks as the plane prepared to be rerouted.After receiving the alert, the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at CCSIA at 5:17 pm. Emergency response teams, including airport fire and medical services, were deployed in advance as part of standard protocol for such situations.All 148 passengers and crew members disembarked safely and were escorted to Terminal 3. No injuries were reported, officials said. The airport fire department and technical teams conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft but found no obvious signs of smoke or fire.Although there were no immediate findings, the aircraft has been grounded as a safety measure and will only be returned to service after a full technical assessment and formal airworthiness certification.The incident sparked frustration among some passengers amid delays and uncertainty about continuing to travel. A passenger named Hemron Michael shared a photo of the plane oxygen mask Deployed on social media, seeking clarification on revised travel arrangements due to delays exceeding two hours.According to officials of Lucknow International Airport Limited, the passengers were initially taken to Terminal 3. Some of them were put on alternate flights to Delhi, while others were offered overnight hotel accommodation and guaranteed priority booking on the next available flight.Airport officials reiterated that emergency procedures followed during the incident ensured the safety of passengers, noting that precautionary diversions and grounding of aircraft are standard practice when potential technical issues are reported mid-flight.