Archive · 2 Jul 2025
Grounded F-35 Jet Becomes Kerala Tourism Meme Sensation
A British fighter jet had to land in India because something went wrong.
The jet is still there, so the tourism department made a joke on social media saying the plane loves being in Kerala and doesn't want to leave.
The tourism department created a post with the jet giving Kerala a five star rating, like a review, acknowledging the jet's lengthy stay.
Engineers will fix the plane so it can fly back home.
Until then, people are having fun making memes.
A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing in Kerala, India, and has been there for weeks.
The jet was participating in joint exercises with the Indian Navy when it developed a technical issue.
Kerala Tourism created a humorous social media campaign around the grounded jet.
The campaign featured the jet giving Kerala a five-star rating and not wanting to leave.
Engineers are preparing to repair the jet so it can return to the UK.
- Who
- A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet.
- What
- A British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing and is awaiting repair in Kerala, India.
- When
- June 14, when the plane made an emergency landing.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India.
- Why
- Due to a technical issue during joint exercises.
UK's Perspective
Kerala Tourism's Perspective
Reason for the Jets presence
UK's Perspective
The F-35 is in Kerala for repairs. The UK is thankful to the Indian authorities for their support.
Kerala Tourism's Perspective
The plane is stranded due to a technical issue.
- Aircraft Type
- British F-35B stealth fighter jet
- Incident Location
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, India
- Reason for Landing
- Emergency landing due to a technical issue
- Date of Landing
- June 14
- Tourism Response
- Kerala Tourism used the event for a social media campaign
- Joint Exercise
- UK-Indian Navy
Sources
British F-35 stealth fighter jet remains stranded in Kerala, but memes take off - Telegraph India
UK’s Stranded F-35 Jet in Kerala Becomes Tourism Hook
‘Destination you'll never want to leave’: Kerala uses stranded British F-35 stealth fighter to promote tourism
Grounded For Days, British F-35 Fighter Jet Gets Kerala's "Thank You" Note