 "Early Tuesday, Air India flight AI180 — flying from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata — faced a technical snag in its left engine, forcing all passengers to deboard. File image/PTI")
In the span of just a few days, Air India has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Since the deadly crash of Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London, which shocked the nation and claimed over 270 lives, the skies haven’t been calm for the airline.
One after another, several Air India flights have reported mid-air technical issues — from U-turns just minutes after takeoff to emergency landings and long delays.
While no passengers have been hurt in these recent incidents, the sheer number of back-to-back scares has left flyers anxious. So, what is going on with Air India? Here’s a closer look.
San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata: Trouble on the ground
Early Tuesday, passengers on Air India flight AI180 — flying from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata — had an unexpected stopover drama.
During the scheduled halt in Kolkata, the aircraft developed a technical snag in its left engine, forcing all passengers to deboard. Hours passed before an announcement was made, and the captain informed flyers that the step was necessary “in the interest of flight safety,” as reported by PTI.
A video from the airport showed ground staff inspecting the aircraft’s engine on the tarmac, as the flight’s onward journey to Mumbai was delayed.
Delhi to Ranchi: Flight make a U-turn mid-air
On Monday, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi had to turn back just after takeoff due to an in-flight emergency.
The flight had departed at 4:25 pm and was expected to land in Ranchi by 6:20 pm. But shortly after takeoff, the pilots decided to return to Delhi after encountering technical difficulties, confirmed airport officials.
An airline spokesperson said, “The aircraft returned to Delhi after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. Post inspections and clearance, it resumed scheduled operations.”
Hong Kong to Delhi: Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes emergency landing
In another troubling event on the same day, an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi had to make a U-turn and make an emergency landing around 90 minutes after take-off.
The pilots flagged a technical issue while cruising at 22,000 ft and could be heard telling Air Traffic Control, “We don’t want to continue further.” The Air India Flight 315 was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the same airplane model involved in the Ahmedabad tragedy a few days ago.
Delhi to Vadodara: Landing gear scare
On Sunday evening, an Air India flight from Delhi to Vadodara (AI 819) had to turn around shortly after takeoff due to a suspected issue with its landing gear.
The Airbus A321 had just taken off from IGI Airport when the crew noticed the landing gear wasn’t retracting properly. They alerted Delhi ATC and were cleared to return. The plane landed safely, and no one was harmed.
The airline later clarified that it was a precautionary move, and the flight resumed service after checks.
Guwahati to Kolkata: Delayed, then delayed again
For passengers on Air India Express flight IX-1226 from Guwahati to Kolkata, it was a journey they’d rather forget.
The flight, scheduled to depart at 9:20 pm on Saturday, was delayed multiple times, initially due to a technical fault. Passengers were kept onboard well past midnight before being deboarded and shifted to a lounge and later a hotel, which many described as poorly maintained, with some saying it didn’t even provide breakfast, PTI reported.
But the ordeal didn’t end there.
The next morning, the same aircraft was used again, only to be grounded a second time due to the same problem. An alternate plane was finally arranged, and the flight took off at 3:34 pm on Sunday. Some passengers chose to fly with other airlines after being offered rescheduling and full refunds.
Air India Express later apologised and said all guests were provided with hotel stays and alternate booking options.
With the recent tragedy of the Ahmedabad crash still fresh in everyone’s minds, incidents like these are only adding to Air India’s mounting troubles.
With input from agencies