Saudi flight grounded

A Mumbai-Damman Saudi Arabian Airlines’ (Boeing 747), with 368 passengers on board, was forced to make an emergency landing soon after its take-off at 2.15 pm.

The flight developed an engine failure and requested for an emergency landing to the ATC control room, according to a Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson. “We were fully prepared for the landing. The aircraft landed safely at 3pm without any incidence of injury to the passengers and damage to the aircraft,” said the spokesperson.

Not ready to disclose the details, Saudi Airlines’ officials said, “It was just a technical snag that occurred after the take-off. We do not know what all is being reported, adding to the frenzy that the entire incident had created during the day.”

“We can only confirm that the Saudi airliner had an engine malfunctioning and had to be back. Since it was full on fuel, it had to dump fuel in the sea. That is the area specified for the airlines to dump fuel,” said MG Junghare, GM, aerodrome, Mumbai region. Airport Authority Official, “All the passengers are safe and they will be accommodated on another flight at 7pm,” an official said.