AI Express flight returns to Abu Dhabi after engine fire. All passengers safe

An Air India Express flight from Abu Dhabi to Kerala’s Kozhikode (or Calicut) was forced to return shortly after taking off because of a ‘flameout’ in the No. 1 engine while the plane was climbing.

National regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation told news agency ANI the plane was a Boeing 737-800 and that it was ‘involved in (an) airturnback’.

“Today (Feb 3) an Air India Express B737-800… operating flight IX 348 (Abu Dhabi-Calicut) was involved in (an) airturnback due to No 1 engine flameout at 1,000 ft during climb.”