A Swiss International Air Lines aircraft experienced an engine fire during take-off at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, leading to an emergency evacuation that left six passengers with minor injuries.
Incident Details
The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday when the Airbus A330-343, a 15-year-old aircraft, was beginning its take-off run. Seconds into the procedure, one of its two engines burst into flames. The flight crew immediately rejected the take-off and, after assessing the situation, decided to evacuate the plane as a safety precaution.
Footage captured inside the cabin showed firefighters hosing down the affected engine on the tarmac. Other videos depicted passengers sliding down emergency slides onto the runway. The aircraft was carrying 228 passengers and 4 infants at the time.
Passenger Injuries and Response
Six passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process. They are currently receiving medical attention. The crew members were unharmed. Swiss International Air Lines stated that affected passengers are being rebooked onto alternative flights or provided with hotel accommodations.
The airline expressed its commitment to understanding the cause of the incident, noting that technical specialists will travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft. “We are determined to fully understand what led to this incident,” the airline said in a statement. “The safety of our passengers and our crew is always our top priority.”
Broader Context: Flight Cancellations
This event comes amid broader disruptions in the aviation industry. The CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, Eivind Roald, has warned of further flight cancellations due to soaring jet fuel prices, which have increased by over 100% in recent days. His airline has already cancelled flights from London Gatwick to Los Angeles. Roald noted that while his airline plans to continue operations from Gatwick, Athens, and Rome this summer, competitors may face additional cancellations, particularly on short-haul routes within Europe.
