UPDATE: Phuket Airport confirmed that the runway was cleared and flight operations resumed at 7pm.
Airport officials confirmed that flight IX938 (also reported as AXB938), operating from Hyderabad, India to Phuket, experienced difficulties while landing shortly before noon.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registered VT-BWQ, was scheduled to land at 11:40am but touched down earlier than planned at 11:24am. Initial inspections found the aircraft had performed a hard landing, which damaged the nose landing gear and left the aircraft disabled on the runway.
According to officials at Phuket International Airport, the aircraft was carrying 131 passengers, two infants and seven crew members, for a total of 140 people on board. All passengers were safely evacuated and taken to a passenger lounge while authorities secured the area.
No injuries were reported.
Officers from Sakhu Police and Phuket Tourist Police stationed at the airport joined airport emergency teams in responding to the situation and ensuring passenger safety.
Airport authorities issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) at 12:08pm ordering the temporary closure of the runway until 6pm while crews worked to remove the disabled aircraft and inspect the runway for damage.
Officials explained that the extended closure was required because the aircraft could not be moved immediately and may require specialised equipment to recover it safely from the runway.
The closure has affected flight operations as Phuket International Airport operates with a single runway, meaning all arrivals and departures were halted during the recovery operation.
Aviation observers noted that the disruption is likely to create a significant backlog of flights even after the runway reopens, potentially causing delays throughout the evening as airlines attempt to restore normal schedules.
Some incoming flights were expected to divert to nearby airports, including Krabi International Airport and Surat Thani International Airport.
Airport officials advised passengers with scheduled flights to contact their airlines directly to check flight status before travelling to the airport.
Further updates will be provided as the recovery operation continues. Passengers seeking additional information may contact the Airports of Thailand information centre at Phuket Airport on 076-3511111.