PHUKET, THAILAND – Phuket International Airport (HKT) has suspended all flight operations today, March 11, 2026, following a landing incident involving an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8. The runway is expected to remain closed until at least 6:00 PM local time (11:00 UTC).
Incident Details
The aircraft, operating flight IX938 from Hyderabad, India, encountered a significant issue with its nose landing gear upon touchdown at approximately 11:40 AM. According to airport authorities and eyewitness reports, the plane suffered a “hard landing,” causing the front gear to collapse or become severely damaged.
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration VT-BWQ.
Passenger Safety and Response
Air India Express confirmed the incident in a statement, emphasizing that all passengers and crew members are safe:
“We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on March 11 experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport. The crew followed all standard protocols, and guests were safely deplaned.”
The 133 passengers on board (including two infants) were evacuated via stairs and transported to the terminal. No injuries have been reported.
Impact on Travel
The closure of Phuket’s only runway has caused widespread disruption at one of Southeast Asia’s busiest tourist hubs.
- Diverted Flights: Numerous international and domestic flights are being diverted to nearby airports, including Krabi (KBV) and Bangkok (BKK).
- Cancellations: Departures scheduled for Wednesday afternoon have been grounded as technical teams work to remove the crippled aircraft.
- Notice to Airmen (NOTAM): A formal notice has been issued extending the closure to 18:00 local time to allow for a full safety inspection of the runway surface.
Travelers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.
