New Delhi: A major aviation scare unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in the early hours of the morning after a Swiss International Airlines flight bound for Zurich aborted takeoff due to an engine fire, leaving six passengers injured.
The incident involved an Airbus A330 operating flight LX147 (Delhi–Zurich), which was carrying 228 passengers and four infants at the time. According to reports, the emergency occurred shortly after 1:00 AM, when the aircraft was accelerating on the runway for takeoff.
Sources said that smoke was observed from the port side near the landing gear, following an issue with one of the engines during the takeoff roll. Acting swiftly, the crew aborted the takeoff in line with safety protocols, preventing a potentially more serious situation.
Airport authorities confirmed that a full emergency was declared, and all prescribed safety procedures were immediately activated. Passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft, though six individuals sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process.
Officials added that despite the emergency response, airport operations remained largely unaffected, with no major disruption to other flights.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict adherence to aviation safety protocols and rapid emergency response systems at one of India’s busiest airports. Investigations are expected to determine the exact cause of the engine malfunction.
