Six passengers sustained injuries during an airplane evacuation using emergency slides following an engine fire incident during take-off. Footage captured firefighters extinguishing the engine blaze at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, in the early hours. Passengers were seen descending the slides onto the tarmac. The Airbus A330-343 experienced the engine fire shortly after the take-off run began.
Swiss International Air Lines reported that the incident happened after takeoff around 1 am local time in India due to an engine issue. The flight had 228 passengers and four infants on board. The takeoff was aborted by the crew, who then decided to evacuate the aircraft as a precaution. Currently, six passengers are receiving medical treatment, while the crew remained unharmed.
The injuries sustained during the evacuation are minor. Swiss Airlines mentioned that the affected passengers are being rebooked on other flights or provided with accommodation in hotels. The airline expressed its commitment to investigating the incident fully, with technical specialists scheduled to inspect the aircraft in Delhi.
Amidst concerns about flight cancellations, Norse Atlantic Airways CEO Eivind Roald announced the cancellation of London Gatwick to Los Angeles flights due to a sharp increase in jet fuel prices. The global aviation industry faces disruptions as airlines adjust schedules in response to challenges like Iran’s control of the critical Strait of Hormuz affecting global supplies.
Roald anticipates further flight cancellations by airlines, particularly in short-haul European flights. He assured that Norse Atlantic Airways will maintain its operations from London Gatwick and other destinations. The impact of rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions continues to influence airline operations globally.
