The runway at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, has been placed on emergency standby after a Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft reported a technical fault with its landing gear, airport authorities said.
The Airbus A330, operating flight TK-733 to Istanbul, encountered the issue shortly after departure from Katunayake. The aircraft is carrying 202 passengers and 10 crew members.
As a safety measure, the pilot is carrying out a controlled fuel dump over the sea to reduce the aircraft’s weight ahead of landing. At the time of reporting, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of about 4,000 feet over the Chilaw area.
Airport officials said the flight is expected to make an emergency landing at BIA around midnight. Fire engines, ambulances, and emergency response teams have been positioned on the runway as a precaution.
Routine operations of other flights continue as usual in Bandaranaike International Airport currently.
