Gulf Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Trouble
A Gulf Air flight bound for Manchester was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing in Kuwait City at dawn on Sunday following a suspected engine failure. Passengers were left stranded and furious, reporting poor treatment and a lack of support from the airline.
Engine Failure Sparks Mid-Flight Crisis
Flight GF5, an Airbus A321 that departed Bahrain just after 2 a.m. local time, reportedly suffered a left engine failure which some passengers say caught fire mid-air. The plane was forced to circle back and land safely in Kuwait City about an hour into its journey. Emergency vehicles swarmed the aircraft upon landing, heightening tensions among those on board.
Passengers Stuck for Hours, No Hotels Available
Chaos continued after landing when passengers were stuck in the airport terminal for more than 13 hours. Indian nationals faced added trouble as they did not qualify for Kuwait’s Visa on Arrival. To make matters worse, local hotels were fully booked due to the ongoing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, leaving stranded travelers with nowhere to stay.
Videos surfaced online showing passengers confronting airport staff, complaining of no food or water for hours. One passenger captured the tense atmosphere, saying: “The left turbine engine failed and caught fire. The pilots performed an emergency landing in Kuwait. We’re safe but stranded.”
Embassy Steps In Amid Passenger Outcry
The Indian Embassy quickly intervened, coordinating with Gulf Air and dispatching a team to assist those stranded. Passengers were moved to two airport lounges where food and water were provided. Despite efforts, hotel accommodation was impossible due to the GCC Summit occupying all rooms.
“The embassy had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges. Efforts are being made to accommodate passengers in the airport hotel, which is currently unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit,” the embassy said in a statement.
Gulf Air has arranged a replacement flight for 3:30 a.m. on December 2 to get passengers back on track, promising to keep them updated.
Questions Over Safety and Support
Gulf Air has yet to release an official statement on the engine failure and emergency landing. The incident raises concerns over the airline’s safety protocols and how it handles passenger care during crises. With the GCC Summit complicating matters, managing emergencies has clearly become even more challenging.
