Lucknow: A full-scale emergency was declared at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) on Monday evening after a May Day alert was issued following suspicious smoke inside the plane on an Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi.The flight, IX 1523, was flying 36,000 feet above the Ghaghra river in Ambedkar Nagar district at around 4.58 pm when the pilots claimed they detected smoke emanating from the aircraft’s avionic panel in the cabin and immediately informed air traffic control.“As a precautionary measure, the crew declared a May Day, triggering the deployment of oxygen masks and causing panic among a section of passengers,” a source familiar with the incident said.Several passengers later said that the sudden drop of oxygen masks along with the May Day announcement caused fear and confusion inside the plane. Some passengers reported that concern spread quickly as cabin crew rushed to reassure passengers and calmly guide them on how to use masks while the plane prepared for diversion.Following the alert, the aircraft was diverted towards Lucknow and made a safe precautionary landing at CCSIA at 5.17 pm. Emergency response teams, including airport fire and medical services, were deployed in advance as part of standard protocol for such situations.All 148 passengers and crew were safely disembarked and taken to Terminal 3. Officials said no injuries were reported. A detailed inspection of the aircraft was conducted by the airport fire department and technical teams, but no visible signs of smoke or fire were found.Despite the absence of any immediate findings, the aircraft has been grounded as a safety measure and will return to service only after a comprehensive technical assessment and formal certification of airworthiness.The incident caused frustration among some passengers due to delays and uncertainty about onward travel. A traveler named Hemeron Michael shared a photo of this oxygen mask The posting on social media sought clarity on revised travel arrangements that led to delays of more than two hours.According to Lucknow International Airport Limited officials, the passengers were initially brought to Terminal 3. Many of them were accommodated on alternative flights to Delhi, while others were provided overnight hotel accommodation and assured priority booking on the next available flights.Airport officials reiterated that the emergency procedures adopted during the incident ensured passenger safety, noting that it is standard practice to divert aircraft and ground aircraft as a precautionary measure when potential technical problems are reported mid-flight.