The British Royal Navy’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, remains grounded due to a reported hydraulic snag. Nearly two weeks later, the UK has accepted India’s offer to move the aircraft to a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport. However, the delay has drawn attention over an estimated parking charge of ₹26,000 per day.
A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft will be moved into a hangar once a UK engineering team arrives in Kerala with the necessary equipment. A special tow vehicle and a 40-member crew are en route from the United Kingdom to begin repairs. The jet, valued at approximately $110 million, is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group.
The emergency landing occurred due to low fuel and poor weather, which prevented the aircraft from returning to the carrier stationed 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. The Indian Air Force facilitated the safe landing, providing critical refueling and ground support. Despite repeated attempts, the aircraft remains grounded on Bay 4 — typically reserved for VIP flights — under 24-hour watch by security agencies including the CISF.
According to reports, the parking charges at the Adani-operated Thiruvananthapuram airport are based on aircraft weight. The F-35B’s 27.3 MT (Maximum Take-Off Weight) incurs a fee of around ₹26,000 per day, totaling more than ₹3.15 lakh over 12 days. The Indian government is reportedly evaluating whether these charges will be absorbed as part of bilateral defense cooperation.
Despite the technical issue, the parked aircraft has not interfered with regular flight operations, and the Indian side has continued to provide logistical support, including accommodation and meals for the British crew.
The extended stay of the high-tech jet has sparked online humor, with memes listing it for sale on platforms like OLX and suggesting that it has “earned Indian citizenship.”
With the UK committed to resolving the issue, the F-35B is expected to be airworthy once safety checks and repairs are complete — a process being closely monitored by both nations’ defense and aviation authorities.
