A Royal Navy F‑35B stealth fighter jet, forced into an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on June 14, was grounded due to a hydraulic malfunction. Unable to return to its carrier in Southeast Asia, the jet has remained at the civilian airport despite ongoing repair efforts .
In an unexpected twist, Kerala’s tourism department seized the moment by crafting a playful AI-generated image of the fighter jet nestled among coconut palms—complete with a fake five-star review that reads, “I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” The humorous post quickly went viral, showcasing Kerala’s scenic beauty under the tagline “God’s own country”.
Behind the scenes, UK and Indian armed forces are collaborating to fix and return the jet. Once UK engineers and the necessary equipment arrive, the aircraft is set to be moved into a maintenance hangar on the airport grounds.
Kerala’s state-run tourism campaign, often outside the more conventional government messaging, has now embraced a creative twist—leveraging the grounded aircraft to highlight its lush landscapes, cultural richness, and vibrant appeal. With 22.2 million tourists visiting last year, the campaign aims to turn an aviation hiccup into a promotional high point.