Delhi Airport emergency: Zurich-bound Swiss Air flight aborts take-off after engine fire, runway 28 blocked

A Swiss International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich aborted take-off at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in the early hours of Sunday after one of its engines caught fire on the runway, triggering a full emergency declaration. Flight LX147, an Airbus A330 carrying 232 passengers and crew, was evacuated on Runway 28 at approximately 1.08am local time. Six passengers were hospitalised, though no fatalities were reported.

What Happened: Engine Failure and Fire at 104 Knots

Flight LX147, an Airbus A330 registered HB-JHK and bound for Zurich, was in its take-off roll on Runway 28 at approximately 1.08am local time when engine number one failed and caught fire.

According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft had reached a speed of 104 knots at the moment of engine failure. The crew acted swiftly, abandoning the take-off and bringing the aircraft to a halt on the runway.

Smoke was detected on the left side of the aircraft, and fire was reported near the right landing gear. A full emergency was declared at Delhi Airport, and Runway 28 was closed — remaining blocked until the aircraft could be removed from the runway.

Evacuation on the Runway: 232 Passengers, Four Infants, Emergency Slides

With the aircraft stationary on the runway and fire confirmed, the crew initiated an emergency evacuation. All 232 passengers, among them four infants, and crew members were evacuated onto the tarmac using emergency slides. For a small number of passengers unable to use the slides, stairs were provided.

Six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were subsequently taken to Medanta Hospital for medical attention. Crew members were reported to be unharmed.

Swiss Air's Official Response: A Task Force, Technical Specialists and an Apology

Swiss International Air Lines moved quickly to address the incident publicly. In a statement carried by the Times of India, the airline confirmed the facts of the incident and outlined its response. "The crew rejected the takeoff and, following an assessment of the situation, decided as a precaution to evacuate the aircraft," the statement read, adding that “six passengers are currently undergoing medical evaluation.”

The airline also addressed the immediate welfare of those affected. "Such a situation is stressful for everyone involved. Our local teams are taking care of our passengers on site and are in direct contact with them. We are working closely with the local authorities," it said, adding that passengers had been provided contact cards and that local teams were working to arrange rebookings and hotel accommodation.

On the question of what caused the incident, the airline was unequivocal about its commitment to finding answers. "We are determined to fully understand what led to this incident. SWISS technical specialists will travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and initiate the next steps. The safety of our passengers and our crew is always our top priority," the statement concluded.