Mangaluru, Dec 02: Mangaluru International Airport (MgIA) demonstrated its commitment to passenger safety and well-being when it swiftly responded to a medical emergency late on 1 December 2025. Air India Express flight IX 522, enroute Thiruvananthapuram from Riyadh, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.
The Airport’s Operations Control Centre promptly received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. MgIA immediately activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs.
Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged transfer to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.
Following the successful handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on 2 December 2025. The seamless coordination between the airline, airport staff, and emergency responders ensured the passenger received timely medical attention and the situation was managed efficiently.
"We appreciate the exemplary cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said.
Queries: Jaideep Shenoy, Corporate Communications, Mangaluru International Airport Tel: +91 93435 61427, Email: jaideep.shenoy@adani.com
About Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL)
Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL) is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship of the globally diversified Adani Group, and the largest private operator of seven functional airports in India through Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). AAHL holds a 49 per cent stake, while AEL, the parent company, holds the majority 51 per cent stake in MgIAL. MgIAL operates and is modernising Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), a major aviation hub in Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Mangaluru International Airport, Mangaluru (IATA: IXE ICAO: VOML)
Mangaluru International Airport, with a rich history of over 70 years, is spread over 583.77 acres and holds the distinction of being Karnataka’s second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, having managed 2.32 million passengers in FY 2024–25. The airport, which is the first in Karnataka to have two runways, including one made of rigid pavement and overlaid with asphalt, currently caters to over 55 air traffic movements (ATMs) every day.
With a digital-first approach, the airport delivers a smooth experience for passengers through advanced technology and efficient operations. As an emerging cargo hub, IXE manages air cargo of over 5,600 metric tonnes per annum.
In July 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) awarded IXE Level 4 accreditation for customer experience. The accreditation recognises the airport's advanced practices in service design and innovation, governance, and customer understanding. Mangaluru International Airport was the first Indian airport in the 5 million passenger category to achieve the Level 3 milestone.