Air Berlin confirmed an incident took place on Thursday on flight BC7425 from Phuket to Abu Dhabi.
“The Airbus A330 was able to land safely in Phuket,” the company said.
“All 249 passengers are in good health and were able to disembark normally via the steps. No precise details are known at present regarding the incident.
The company said “it cannot be confirmed” that the engine caught fire.
“Air Berlin is in dialogue with the local authorities and with the BFU in Germany and is assisting them in their investigation of the incident. A team of technicians from Air Berlin is already on the way to Phuket."
The airline said Air Berlin had not experienced any accidents in the airline's track record so far.
“With regards to incidents, we are obliged to report every occurrence following the given legal framework. A report to German investigation branch BFU and the Thai Authorities was submitted. We will provide an update as soon as it becomes available.
“Air Berlin's main priority is to take care of its passengers, who were first of all given refreshments at the airport yesterday (December 20) and then provided with accommodation at hotels in Phuket. The passengers have been rebooked onto substitute flights today (December 21) and tomorrow in order to continue to their respective destinations.”
The 8:30 pm Air Berlin flight from Phuket to Abu Dhabi in the UAE caught fire after takeoff around 10 pm last night (December 20), with 249 passengers on board.
With flames pouring from the left engine of the Airbus A330 aircraft, the captain managed to circle and put the aircraft back down on the runway in Phuket, bursting three tyres in the process.