A Swiss International Airlines flight bound for Europe aborted takeoff and was evacuated shortly after midnight at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday after a technical issue was detected in one of the engines.
The Airbus A330 aircraft (registration HB-JHK), operating as flight LX147, was carrying 228 passengers and four infants when the crew noticed the issue shortly after 1 am and immediately rejected takeoff as a precautionary measure.
Following the aborted takeoff, the pilots decided to evacuate the aircraft. All passengers and crew exited using emergency evacuation slides, while those unable to use the slides were assisted with airport stairs.
Six passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and received medical attention on site. No crew members were injured in the incident.
In a statement, SWISS International Airlines said it has set up a task force to manage the situation and assist passengers. “Such a situation is stressful for everyone involved. Our local teams are taking care of our passengers on site and are in direct contact with them,” the airline said.
Passengers were provided contact cards and are being assisted with rebooking and hotel accommodation. The airline said local teams are working with authorities to arrange onward travel at the earliest.
Swiss technical teams to inspect aircraft as investigation into engine issue continues
SWISS technical specialists are expected to travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and determine the exact cause of the engine issue. The airline reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
The incident led to operational disruption at the airport during the early hours of Sunday. Further details on the technical fault are awaited.