Shahjalal Airport: Thai plane's tyres burst on landing

Tyres of a Thai Airways aircraft burst on landing at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) yesterday, leading to the suspension of flight operations at the airport for over two hours.

All the 145 passengers on board the aircraft were unhurt and safely evacuated after the incident around 12:18pm, said Group Captain Abdullah Al Farooq, director of the HSIA.

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Six tyres of the right bogie of the Boeing 777-200 burst during the landing, he said, adding that the aircraft skidded off the tarmac to nearby grasses moments after touching down.

However, the pilot managed to steer it back to the runway safely. 

Officials had to suspend flight operations at the HSIA as the plane brought mud and grasses to the only runway of the airport. The flight operations resumed around 2:30pm.

Six flights were diverted to the airports in Chittagong and Sylhet during the time, said Abdullah, adding that the incident also delayed a hajj flight by an hour.

Meanwhile, an official from the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh said the incident would be investigated by the Thai authorities.