Kerala Tourism used the F-35 in a unique way to promote the state

What began as an emergency landing has now turned into an international aviation oddity—and a viral tourism campaign.

A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, worth over $100 million, has found an unexpected home at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India.

Stranded india us f35 for nearly three weeks, the jet has captured public imagination, inspired memes, and even received a warm welcome from Kerala Tourism, which playfully claims the fighter simply “doesn’t want to leave.”

The Jet That Landed… and Stayed
The advanced fifth-generation fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14, 2025, due to low fuel and poor weather while operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. Indian aviation authorities promptly granted clearance, and the jet was moved to a secure hangar at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

What was expected to be a brief technical stop has now become a prolonged stay. According to official sources, a hydraulic system failure—critical for the jet’s Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) ability—rendered the aircraft immobile. Despite immediate on-site repair attempts by Royal Navy technicians, the issue has persisted.

Kerala Turns a Crisis Into a Campaign
Sensing a unique opportunity, Kerala Tourism joined the buzz with humor and creativity. In a now-viral post on X (formerly Twitter), it quipped, “Kerala, the destination you will never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy.” The spoof included a fake review from the jet: “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.”

From memes to mock OLX listings offering the $110 million jet for just $4 million, the situation has sparked waves of satire across Indian social media. The grounded warplane has unintentionally become Kerala’s most high-tech tourist attraction.

UK Maintains Close Watch
Despite the humor, UK authorities have taken the matter seriously. British Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard confirmed that Royal Air Force personnel are guarding the aircraft 24/7. “We continue to work with our Indian friends who provided first-class support when the F-35B was unable to return to the Prince of Wales,” Pollard said.

A 40-member UK engineering team, along with specialized tow vehicles and technical experts from Lockheed Martin, are currently en route to Thiruvananthapuram to attempt further repairs. The British High Commission has assured that the aircraft remains under tight security, and all necessary precautions are in place.

What If It Can’t Fly?
With the jet still grounded after weeks of attempts, contingency plans are being discussed. If repairs fail to restore its flight-worthiness, the UK may be forced to airlift the F-35B using a RAF C-17 Globemaster III—a heavy-lift transport aircraft. However, such an operation would be logistically complex and extremely costly.

Until Then, Kerala Hosts a Jet Like No Other
As efforts to restore the jet continue, the F-35B has become more than a military asset—it’s now part of Kerala’s tourism story, drawing curious onlookers and a wave of online humor.

While its departure is inevitable, the jet’s unexpected detour has left a lasting impression on both sides of the globe.

And for now, it seems this stealth fighter is enjoying the hospitality—reluctantly refusing to leave the Country.
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