A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet, stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since mid-June, has unexpectedly become a star of Kerala Tourism’s global promotion campaign.
The fifth-generation stealth fighter, valued at over £89 million, made an emergency landing on 14 June due to hydraulic issues and bad weather while returning to the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s flagship carrier, after a sortie in the Indian Ocean. Despite multiple repair attempts by engineers flown in from the UK, the jet has remained grounded for nearly three weeks under tight CISF security.
Meanwhile, images of the “lonely F-35B,” parked on the rain-soaked tarmac amid Kerala’s monsoon, have sparked a wave of memes and jokes on social media, with many suggesting the jet is enjoying its stay in “God’s Own Country.”
Kerala’s Humour Turns Crisis Into Tourism Buzz
In a light-hearted and widely praised move, Kerala Tourism turned the incident into a viral promotional campaign, sharing a tongue-in-cheek social media post:
“Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.”
An AI-generated image of the F-35B parked under swaying coconut palms with the tagline “Kerala: The destination you’ll never want to leave” captured global attention, giving the state’s tourism promotion an unexpected boost and showcasing Kerala’s creative branding even during unusual situations.
Interestingly, “ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് യുദ്ധ വിമാനം തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് ഇറക്കിയത് ചാരപ്രവർത്തനത്തിന് അടക്കമാണെന്ന് ഊഹാപോഹങ്ങൾക്കിടയിലാണ് പരസ്യം വൈറലാവുന്നത്..” (Amid rumours that the British warplane landed in Thiruvananthapuram for espionage, the tourism campaign has gone viral.)
Raised in the UK House of Commons
The plane’s prolonged presence on Indian soil has sparked curiosity and raised questions about how such a modern aircraft could remain stranded in a foreign country for so long. The case of the stranded jet has also been raised in the UK House of Commons.
British defence authorities have expressed gratitude for India’s support, with ongoing coordination between the UK Ministry of Defence and Indian authorities to facilitate repairs and a safe departure for the jet. Meanwhile, Kerala airport authorities are reportedly considering levying parking fees for the extended stay of the fighter jet.
What Happens Next?
UK specialists are expected to carry out further diagnostics before moving the jet to an MRO hangar for repairs, after which the aircraft will return to the HMS Prince of Wales.
While engineers continue their work, Kerala has once again showcased its ability to turn any situation into an opportunity to promote its warmth, humour, and natural beauty to the world.
