US-bound Air India flight cancelled mid-way due to 'extended maintenance' after Vienna fuel stop

An Air India flight from Delhi to Washington DC was cancelled on Thursday (July 3) after encountering an “extended maintenance task” during a layover in Vienna, the airline said.

A spokesperson for Air India, which is under scrutiny by aviation authorities following a fatal crash last month in Ahmedabad, explained that flight AI103 had stopped in Vienna for refuelling.

Routine checks revealed a maintenance task, requiring extensive repairs which led to the flight’s cancellation.

“Flight AI103 from Delhi to Washington, DC on 2nd July made a planned fuel stop in Vienna. During routine aircraft checks, an extended maintenance task was identified, which required rectification before the next flight and, thus, additional time for completion,” the spokesperson said.

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The Vienna to Washington DC leg of the flight was cancelled due to the maintenance issue and passengers were deplaned. As a result, flight AI104 from Washington to Delhi via Vienna has also been cancelled, the airline said.

“Due to this, the Vienna to Washington, DC leg was cancelled, and passengers were disembarked. Consequently, flight AI104 from Washington, DC to Delhi via Vienna was also cancelled,” the spokesperson said.

Air India stated that passengers impacted by the cancellation have been rebooked on other flights to Delhi or offered full refunds, depending on their preferences.

“Air India deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and remains committed to prioritising the safety of all passengers and crew,” the statement read.

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Air India under increased scrutiny

Following the June 12 Air India plane crash , the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed the airline to perform safety inspections on its Boeing Dreamliner fleet, which was involved in the tragic incident.

In response, Air India announced it would voluntarily conduct enhanced pre-flight safety checks and temporarily scale back services to prioritise safe operations.

While these measures aim to enhance passenger safety, Air India noted that factors such as restricted airspaces, nighttime curfews at various airports in Europe and East Asia, air traffic congestion, and unexpected operational challenges could lead to flight delays or cancellations.