Etihad clarifies no fire onboard Chennai-Abu Dhabi flight after technical issue delays departure

NEW DELHI: Etihad Airways has clarified that there was no fire onboard its Chennai-Abu Dhabi flight after the aircraft returned to the gate before departure on Tuesday due to a technical issue.In a statement issued after reports of a fire onboard the aircraft surfaced, the airline said flight EY343 from Chennai International Airport to Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi was taken back to the stand as a precaution.“Etihad Airways flight EY343 from Chennai International Airport (MAA) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on 12 May returned to the gate prior to departure due to a technical issue and guests were subsequently disembarked,” the airline said.The carrier added that emergency services were activated in line with Chennai airport safety protocols.“The flight is currently expected to depart approximately three hours behind schedule,” the statement said.Etihad said its teams were assisting affected passengers and advised travellers to keep their contact details updated to receive flight alerts through SMS or email.The airline stressed that contrary to several media reports, there was no fire onboard the aircraft.“Contrary to some media reports, there was no fire onboard the aircraft. The aircraft returned to stand due to a technical issue,” the airline said in its note to editors.The airline also reiterated that the “safety and comfort of our guests and crew remains Etihad’s highest priority.”Earlier in the day, a news agency PTI report citing airport officials had claimed that a fire was detected on the aircraft’s left wing while the flight was preparing for take-off with around 280 passengers onboard.According to the earlier report, pilots had halted the departure after noticing the issue and passengers were safely disembarked without injuries. Fire service personnel were also deployed at the spot as a precautionary measure.Etihad’s latest clarification, however, said the incident involved a technical issue and not a fire onboard the aircraft.