Weather likely reason for Gulf Air plane skidding in Kochi

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi today said rain and wind appear to be the reasons behind a Gulf Air plane skidding off the runway while landing at the International Airport in Kochi even as DGCA ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Ravi said initial reports suggest the incident took place due to the weather conditions and the runway is "long enough."

"DGCA has asked for a report. The report which has come to me is that it is a difficult place though the runway is long enough. The rains and winds were there. Then, it landed and slipped," he told reporters here.

He said seven persons were injured in the incident and that the runway would become operational soon.

"By God's grace, nothing much happened," he said.

137 passengers and six crew of the plane from Bahrain had a narrow escape when the Airbus A-320 skidded off the runway into a muddy area while landing at the airport.