The plane landed at Lucknow airport at around 8:52 am
Lucknow. An Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Delhi was landed at Lucknow airport as a precautionary measure on Thursday morning after a smoke detection alarm went off in the cargo hold. Sources gave this information.
However, he said that initial investigation at Lucknow airport did not find any sign of smoke or fire in the plane. Aircraft IX 1253 took off from Varanasi airport around 8 am and soon after take-off, the smoke detection alarm in the cargo hold was activated, following which the pilot contacted the Lucknow air traffic controller (ATC) and sought permission to land.
Sources said the plane landed at Lucknow airport at around 8:52 am, following which the airport's 'response team', fire brigade personnel and technical experts reached the plane and all 155 passengers and crew were deboarded at around 9:02 am.
An Air India Express spokesperson said that after detecting a technical problem, the crew of the Varanasi-Delhi flight decided to divert the flight to Lucknow as a precautionary measure, giving priority to the safety of passengers.
The airline said that the plane landed safely at Lucknow airport and all the passengers were served refreshments on arrival there. Alternative aircraft are being arranged on priority basis to take the passengers to their destination.
The plane was taken to a hangar, where initial investigation found no signs of smoke or fire inside the plane, sources said. He said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the smoke alarm system being activated.