A British F-35B fighter jet that had been stranded at a southern Indian airport for over a month due to mechanical issues is finally en route back home. The aircraft, which had gained a sort of local celebrity status, was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala after encountering bad weather on its way to an aircraft carrier in mid-June.
British engineers worked diligently for weeks to rectify the issues that barred the jet, valued at over $100 million, from returning to service. A team had been dispatched to the airport in early July to carry out repairs, ultimately restoring the jet to operational capacity. An airport official, speaking anonymously, indicated the aircraft is now headed to Darwin, Australia.
Repair efforts involved a crew of 14 personnel, focusing on the hydraulic and auxiliary power systems of the fighter jet. These technicians are expected to return to Britain on a Royal Air Force flight following the completion of their work. Given the highly sensitive technology aboard the F-35B, heavy security measures were implemented during its stay, restricting airport staff from approaching the hangar where repairs were conducted.
During its downtime, the jet attracted significant local attention, even drawing the interest of the region's tourism department. Memes circulated online, including humorous posts about the plane's stay in Kerala alongside a tongue-in-cheek travel review, contributing to an environment of local amusement. As news of the jet's departure surfaced, many local residents took to social media to express their sentiments with messages such as “Bye, bro,” and nostalgic pleas, “Please don’t go. We loved you standing on the airport. Feelings had developed.”
The aircraft's departure marks the end of an unusual chapter at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, leaving behind a mixture of nostalgia but also a sense of normalcy restored as it continues its journey.
