House Damaged By Winds From Low-Flying Aircraft Near Kochi Airport; Third Such Incident In A Year

For residents of Shanthinagar near Cochin International Airport, the damage to Simon's tiled house on Sunday was not an isolated accident but the latest reminder of a problem they say has persisted for years.

A low-flying aircraft approaching Nedumbassery Airport allegedly generated powerful winds and vibrations that ripped apart the roof of Simon's home shortly after 8 a.m., leaving him injured and reigniting concerns about the safety of neighbourhoods located directly beneath the airport's flight path.

Morning Landing Ends in Roof Collapse

Residents said a Gulf-bound aircraft was descending towards the airport when it passed over the area with a loud roar. Moments later, Simon's house shook violently.

The force of the turbulence reportedly dislodged nearly 100 roof tiles, scattering debris inside and outside the property. Simon was injured when a broken tile struck his shoulder as he rushed outdoors.

The house is located near Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy in Athani, within Shanthinagar, a residential area situated around 4.5 kilometres west of the airport.

A Recurring Concern for Airport Neighbours

What has alarmed residents is that similar incidents have been reported before. According to locals, houses in Shanthinagar frequently experience rattling doors and windows whenever large aircraft pass overhead. In some cases, roof tiles and metal sheets have reportedly been loosened or blown away.

Residents noted that a comparable incident occurred two years ago and pointed out that this is the third case within a year in which tiled houses near the airport have suffered damage allegedly linked to low-flying aircraft.

For many families living in the area, Sunday's incident has strengthened calls for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of aircraft operations on nearby residential neighbourhoods.

Compensation Plan Under Consideration

Following a preliminary inspection, airport authorities indicated that the damage to Simon's house appeared to have been caused by a low-flying aircraft.

Amid repeated complaints from residents, Cochin International Airport Ltd is exploring the possibility of compensating affected homeowners through its CSR funds. The proposal comes as locals seek both immediate relief and preventive measures to reduce the risk of future incidents.

DGCA Seeks Answers

The issue has now reached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which plans to obtain a report from its officials in Kochi.

"We haven't got any information regarding it so far. We will ask the DGCA officials in Kochi to submit a report immediately," a top official with the DGCA air safety wing in Delhi said.

Political leaders have also urged swift action.

"The authorities should take immediate steps to provide compensation to the house owner. There should be measures to avoid such incidents in the future as well," Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath said.

As investigations begin, residents say the focus should extend beyond compensation to finding a long-term solution for communities living directly under one of Kerala's busiest aviation corridors.