The Gulf Air plane from Bahrain, which had skidded off the runway while landing at the Kochi International Airport on Monday, was towed back to the taxibay early today. Airport sources said the runway has been cleared and normal services would soon resume. The runway had initially been closed for 10 hours and was later partially opened for smaller aircraft. After a night-long operation, the aircraft was lifted at 6 am with the help of huge cranes. A 100-member expert team from Mumbai was at the spot to assist the operation.The plane, with 137 passengers and six crew, veered off the runway at 3.55 am on Monday, breaking its nose-wheel. One person was hospitalised with fractures and six with minor injuries discharged after first aid. Cochin International Airport Limited Managing Director V J Kurien had said that strong winds and heavy rains which lashed Kochi on Monday could have been the cause of the mishap.