Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, together with SriLankan Airlines as the ground handling agent, successfully managed an in-flight emergency involving a Turkish Airlines aircraft, ensuring the safe return of the flight to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) late last night.
According to Sumith De Silva, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka, the Airbus A330 operating Turkish Airlines flight TK 733 departed BIA at around 10:00 p.m. on 16 December, bound for Istanbul, carrying 202 passengers and 10 crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew reported a technical issue in which the aircraft’s landing gear failed to retract as expected.
In line with standard aviation safety procedures, the aircraft remained airborne over the sea off the Chilaw coast at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet while excess fuel was released to reduce landing weight, retaining only the quantity required for a safe landing. The procedure took over two hours and was closely coordinated with air traffic control and emergency response teams.
De Silva noted that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was also placed on standby to receive the aircraft if required, while passenger safety and comfort remained a priority throughout the operation. As a precautionary measure due to airport congestion following the incident, two other flights were temporarily diverted.
Bandaranaike International Airport activated its full emergency response, deploying ambulances, fire and rescue units, medical teams, and rescue boats in the Negombo Lagoon. The aircraft landed safely at BIA at approximately 12:17 a.m. on 17 December. All passengers disembarked without incident and were transported to nearby hotels.
Following comprehensive technical inspections and rectification work, Turkish Airlines flight TK 733 from Colombo to Istanbul subsequently departed Bandaranaike International Airport at 5:41 p.m. on 17 December, resuming its scheduled service safely.
