Air India Express Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Lucknow

An Air India Express flight operating from Varanasi to New Delhi was forced to make an emergency diversion and landing in Lucknow on September 3, 2026. The aircraft, identified as flight IX-1253, encountered an unexpected in-flight safety alert shortly after taking off from its origin city.

According to the confirmed operational details, the flight's crew received a cargo hold smoke detection alarm shortly after departure. In response to the cockpit warning, air traffic authorities and flight crew initiated emergency protocols, leading the aircraft to request and secure priority landing clearance at Lucknow airport.

The aircraft touched down safely at Lucknow airport at 8:52 AM, averting any potential disaster. Ground emergency services and airport personnel were immediately deployed to the tarmac to manage the arrival and ensure the swift handling of the situation.

At the time of the emergency landing, there were 155 passengers on board the Air India Express flight. Following the successful touchdown, airport staff and crew members began the evacuation process, and all 155 passengers were safely deplaned from the aircraft by 9:02 AM.

Following the successful evacuation, engineering and safety teams conducted thorough preliminary inspections of the aircraft. Upon examining the interior and the cargo hold, officials confirmed that no physical signs of smoke or fire were discovered anywhere inside the plane, verifying that the initial alert was a false alarm.