10-2-2025 (PHUKET) An Aeroflot flight bound for Moscow was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport following technical difficulties with its landing gear system.
Flight SU277, carrying more than 300 passengers, departed from Phuket International Airport but soon encountered problems when its nose gear failed to retract properly after takeoff. The aircraft was forced to circle over the Andaman Sea for nearly 3 hours whilst the crew assessed the situation.
Phuket Airport Director Montchai Tanode confirmed that the decision to divert the aircraft to Suvarnabhumi Airport was taken due to safety considerations. “Phuket’s single runway and limited emergency response capabilities made Bangkok’s primary airport a more suitable option for handling this situation”, he explained.
The aircraft needed to burn off substantial amounts of fuel before attempting the emergency landing, both as a safety precaution and to minimise environmental impact in case of an incident. Emergency response teams at Suvarnabhumi Airport were mobilised and placed on high alert as the aircraft approached.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Kittipong Kittikhajorn later confirmed that the Aeroflot aircraft had landed safely on runway 01R without incident. Arrangements were swiftly made with Thai Airways International to accommodate the stranded passengers for their onward journey to Moscow.
