Image source – ANI
A UK’s F-35B fighter jet, grounded in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to its hydraulic fault since June 14, has successfully taken off after its repair. A British technical team completed the work with support from Indian authorities at the airport. The fighter jet emergency landing and a long stay over a month grabbed public attention, while the UK government expressed gratitude for India’s cooperation.
The British F- 35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing in Kerala due to its hydraulic fault on June 14, has finally taken off from Thiruvananthapuram international airport on Tuesday. An unexpected landing was made on Thiruvananthapuram international airport by the fighter jet. The fighter jet is a part of the UK’s Navy force.
The £85 million priced jet was undergoing repairs by a UK technical team which reached India immediately after landing. The fighter jet had been moved to the Air India hangar for monsoon down time. When the repair was completed the jet was rolled out of the hangar and taken off on Tuesday.
The technical team will return separately, the news agency PTI reported.
The fighter jet aircraft was kept under strong security by the central industrial security force CISF and British crew since its unexpected and unscheduled landing.
The Indian Air force had earlier announced Thiruvananthapuram as an emergency recovery airfield for allied’s aircraft and extended full logistic support for its recovery.
A team of 25 engineers from the UK Royal Air force had flown in military Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft to undertake the fighter jet repairs. The team bought special equipments to repair its suspected hydraulic issue after an earlier attempt was failed by HMS Prince of Wales engineers
The UK authorities have to pay around ₹ 5 lakh as parking fees to the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The amount is fixed and based on the aircraft’s weight, size and number of days it stayed. It is estimated the parking fee would be around ₹15000 to ₹20000 per day.
The airport will collect parking fees for aircraft’s each day from 14 June. The fee for using hanger facilities will be charged by Air India engineering services limited, which owns the hanger and provided all required resources.
The extended stay of the fighter jet captured public attention, inspiring social media humour. Even a viral post from Kerala tourism “Kerala, the destination you will never want to leave.”
The UK Government thanked and expressed gratitude to India for continuous support and collaboration.
