A British F-35 fighter jet has been stuck in a Kerala airport for weeks now after making an emergency landing in the southern Indian state. Amid speculations and news reports about its whereabouts in the Trivandrum International Airport, the Kerala Tourism department spotted a marketing opportunity. In a social media post on Wednesday (June 2), it shared the picture of the jet enjoying Kerala. According to the meme fest around the post, the fighter jet is loving it in Kerala, enjoying tea, banana chips and even some toddy. Here's more on the hilarious take and marketing genius of God's Own Country around one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world:<h2>Kerala Tourism department's tongue-in-cheek campaign uses F-35 fighter jet</h2>The post from the Kerala Tourism Department's X handle said: " Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave."&nbsp;The picture accompanying the post had a five-star rating given to Kerala by the UK F-35 B, with what was made to look like a line from a review post. It said: “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kerala, the destination you&#39;ll never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F35?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F35</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trivandrum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trivandrum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeralaTourism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeralaTourism</a> <a href="https://t.co/3lei66a5T2">pic.twitter.com/3lei66a5T2</a>&mdash; Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeralaTourism/status/1940308521746407856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The post acknowledged the parody X handle, The Fauxy, for the idea, which had published a similar satirical post earlier. That post had a cartoonish picture of the aircraft, with the caption: “Kerala: Once you land, you won't want to leave. Ask the British F-35.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%91%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%8A%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%86?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆</a>: 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐅-𝟑𝟓 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 ‘𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 - 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚 <a href="https://t.co/vpigi9D6nB">pic.twitter.com/vpigi9D6nB</a>&mdash; The Fauxy (@the_fauxy) <a href="https://twitter.com/the_fauxy/status/1940110424759750705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Netizens join the F-35 fighter jet banter with memes</h2>Some other netizens joined the fun conversation, with one user posting a picture of the F-35 joining locals enjoying tea and chips. "No wonder it refuses to leave now- bro found peace, toddy, and banana chips," said the post.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No wonder it refuses to leave now- bro found peace, toddy, and banana chips. 🥴 <a href="https://t.co/wAv2i9a75z">pic.twitter.com/wAv2i9a75z</a>&mdash; The ChagalaToka (@Pratyush0511) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pratyush0511/status/1940337883451433365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The F-35 has been the subject of several memes due to its rather shameful technical snag that has led to much speculation, with even the British High Commission having to issue some clarifications.<h2>What is the latest status of the British F-35 fighter jet stuck in Kerala?</h2>The jet had taken off from the British aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales on June 14.&nbsp;The plane had to land at the Trivandrum International Airport in the southern state, reportedly after developing a technical issue amid adverse weather conditions, while performing manoeuvres in the Indo-Pacific region. It was initially set to take off within days, but that did not happen. It is reportedly moved to the hangar of the airport. The plane will likely be flown out to the UK once engineers repair it with specialist equipment. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/f-35-or-su-57-which-stealth-jet-will-rule-indias-skies-8732449/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/f-35-or-su-57-which-stealth-jet-will-rule-indias-skies-8732449/embed</a> According to reports, British authorities think the Royal Air Force could be back in service after repairs by the expert team.&nbsp;A British High Commission statement said, "It had been decided that the support of a U.K.-based engineering team is needed. We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support.”

According to the meme fest around the post, the fighter jet is loving it in Kerala, enjoying tea, banana chips and even some toddy. Here's more on the hilarious take and marketing genius of God's Own Country around one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world:

A British F-35 fighter jet has been stuck in a Kerala airport for weeks now after making an emergency landing in the southern Indian state. Amid speculations and news reports about its whereabouts in the Trivandrum International Airport, the Kerala Tourism department spotted a marketing opportunity. In a social media post on Wednesday (June 2), it shared the picture of the jet enjoying Kerala. According to the meme fest around the post, the fighter jet is loving it in Kerala, enjoying tea, banana chips and even some toddy. Here's more on the hilarious take and marketing genius of God's Own Country around one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world: Kerala Tourism department's tongue-in-cheek campaign uses F-35 fighter jet The post from the Kerala Tourism Department's X handle said: " Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave." The picture accompanying the post had a five-star rating given to Kerala by the UK F-35 B, with what was made to look like a line from a review post. It said: “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.”

According to the meme fest around the post, the fighter jet is loving it in Kerala, enjoying tea, banana chips and even some toddy. Here's more on the hilarious take and marketing genius of God's Own Country around one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world:

F-35 says 'don't want to leave' Kerala in tourism dept's tongue-in-cheek social media post on stranded UK fighter jet, meme fest follows

The British High Commission on Friday (June 27) issued a statement regarding the UK F35-B aircraft that was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India on June 14.&nbsp;&nbsp;The spokesperson said, “A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft."&nbsp;“The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will now calculate a parking fee for the British Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet as it continues to be grounded in Kerala. As per a report by the Indian Defence Research wing, for 12 days of parking, the total fee would be 3,685.22 USD (INR 26,261 × 12 = INR 315,132). The F-35B's prolonged stay at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is highly unusual, as it marks the first time this advanced fighter jet has been stranded abroad. Usually, the airport operator charges a parking fee based on the aircraft's weight. But the fighter jet is lightweight and it is not a scheduled flight. So the same yardstick may not be applicable in this case. There is no official confirmation on how the parking fee would be charged and who would pay the bill. Notably, in March, US President Donald Trump pitched the sale of F-35 jets to India. Meanwhile, a team of engineers from the UK and the US will arrive soon to rectify the snag. If it is not successful, arrangements may have to be made to move the jet out using a freighter plane. A British High Commission spokesperson said: “We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support.” "Diversion of F-35 is normal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully aware of and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said last week. The jet, believed to have taken off from a British aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala's coast, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after reporting low fuel levels, reported news agency PTI. The British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, which was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, landed in Thiruvananthapuram on June 14. The British jet, parked at Bay 4 of Thiruvananthapuram's airport, is guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

Engineering issue British High Commission issues statement on F 35 fighter jet stuck in Kerala

The British High Commission on Friday (June 27) issued a statement regarding the UK F35-B aircraft that was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India on June 14. The spokesperson said, “A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft." “The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.” Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will now calculate a parking fee for the British Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet as it continues to be grounded in Kerala. As per a report by the Indian Defence Research wing, for 12 days of parking, the total fee would be 3,685.22 USD (INR 26,261 × 12 = INR 315,132). The F-35B's prolonged stay at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is highly unusual, as it marks the first time this advanced fighter jet has been stranded abroad. Usually, the airport operator charges a parking fee based on the aircraft's weight. But the fighter jet is lightweight and it is not a scheduled flight. So the same yardstick may not be applicable in this case. There is no official confirmation on how the parking fee would be charged and who would pay the bill. Notably, in March, US President Donald Trump pitched the sale of F-35 jets to India. Meanwhile, a team of engineers from the UK and the US will arrive soon to rectify the snag. If it is not successful, arrangements may have to be made to move the jet out using a freighter plane. A British High Commission spokesperson said: “We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support.” "Diversion of F-35 is normal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully aware of and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said last week. The jet, believed to have taken off from a British aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala's coast, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after reporting low fuel levels, reported news agency PTI. The British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, which was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, landed in Thiruvananthapuram on June 14. The British jet, parked at Bay 4 of Thiruvananthapuram's airport, is guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

Meanwhile, a team of engineers from the UK and the US will arrive soon to rectify the snag. If it is not successful, arrangements may have to be made to move the jet out using a freighter plane

'Engineering issue': British High Commission issues statement on F-35 fighter jet stuck in Kerala

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F-35 says 'don't want to leave' Kerala in tourism dept's tongue-in-cheek social media post on stranded UK fighter jet, meme fest follows

‘Engineering issue’: F-35 jet stuck in Kerala, UK mission issues statement