A Week of Chaos: Air India’s Mounting Mid-Air Troubles
In what has become a crisis of confidence, Air India is grappling with a string of technical failures, emergency landings, and delays just days after a catastrophic crash of Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London claimed over 270 lives. As investigations into that disaster unfold, the national carrier has seen at least five more flights face serious operational issues, leaving passengers anxious and the aviation sector on edge.
None of the recent incidents have resulted in injuries, but the back-to-back scares paint a troubling picture for the airline that’s already under scrutiny following one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies.
San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata: Engine Trouble Grounds Flight
On Tuesday, passengers aboard Flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai, via a scheduled stop in Kolkata, were forced to disembark after a technical snag developed in the aircraft’s left engine. Ground staff were seen inspecting the plane on the tarmac as hours passed with little information for the waiting travelers.
Eventually, the captain addressed the flyers, explaining the delay was “in the interest of flight safety.” The flight’s onward journey was delayed, and many travelers expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates.
Delhi to Ranchi: Mid-Air U-Turn Minutes After Take-off
Just a day earlier, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi (AI Express) had to turn back mid-air shortly after departing at 4:25 PM. The plane was scheduled to land in Ranchi by 6:20 PM but returned to Indira Gandhi International Airport due to technical difficulties, confirmed airport officials.
This quick U-turn once again spotlighted potential vulnerabilities in aircraft maintenance or operational oversight.
Hong Kong to Delhi: Emergency Landing of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner
In a particularly alarming incident also on Monday, Flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — the same aircraft model involved in the Ahmedabad crash — was forced to make an emergency landing after pilots detected a technical issue at 22,000 feet.
Radio transcripts captured the cockpit’s chilling message to Air Traffic Control:
“We don’t want to continue further.”
The aircraft returned to Hong Kong, and all passengers were safely disembarked. While the cause of the malfunction is under investigation, this close call has raised questions about the airworthiness of the Dreamliner fleet.
Delhi to Vadodara: Landing Gear Malfunction Sparks Safety Concerns
On Sunday, an Airbus A321 operating from Delhi to Vadodara (AI819) was forced to return to Delhi shortly after take-off when the landing gear failed to retract properly. Air Traffic Control was alerted, and the plane made a safe landing back in Delhi.
The airline later termed the move “precautionary” and said the aircraft was cleared to resume operations after checks. While no one was injured, the incident deepens concerns about routine safety checks before take-off.
Guwahati to Kolkata: A Night of Delays and Discomfort
Passengers on Flight IX-1226 from Guwahati to Kolkata endured a travel nightmare over the weekend. Originally scheduled for a 9:20 PM departure on Saturday, the flight faced multiple delays due to technical issues. Flyers were kept onboard well past midnight before finally being moved to a poorly maintained hotel, with several travelers reporting lack of basic amenities.
The saga didn’t end there. The same aircraft was re-deployed the next morning, only to be grounded again with similar problems. A new aircraft was finally arranged, and the flight took off at 3:34 PM on Sunday, but not before some passengers chose to abandon the ordeal and accept refunds or alternate bookings.
Delhi to Paris: Cancelled Due to Pre-Flight Faults
On Tuesday evening, Air India announced the cancellation of Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris after mandatory pre-flight checks revealed an unspecified issue. The return flight (AI142) from Paris to Delhi, scheduled for Wednesday, was also cancelled.
Air India cited night operation restrictions at Charles de Gaulle Airport as a contributing factor, and assured passengers that hotel accommodations, refunds, and rescheduling options would be offered.
Just hours earlier, the airline had also cancelled the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick service, citing aircraft unavailability and additional precautionary checks due to ongoing airspace restrictions.
Investigation into Crash Underway as Flyers Lose Confidence
With the Ahmedabad-London crash still fresh in national memory, these consecutive technical issues have left many wondering whether a larger systemic failure is at play. Flight and voice data recorders from the crash site have been recovered, and a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to oversee the investigation and recommend safety improvements.
While Air India has issued apologies and offered compensation where applicable, industry analysts and aviation safety experts are now calling for a comprehensive audit of the airline’s operational protocols, fleet maintenance, and staff readiness.
Time for Transparency and Reform
As Air India faces increasing pressure from the public and aviation regulators alike, the immediate priority must be restoring trust and ensuring safety. The airline has an opportunity—through transparent reporting, swift action, and policy overhaul—to turn this crisis into a pivot point.
The skies may still be turbulent, but with accountability, better oversight, and stronger safety protocols, there is hope for smoother journeys ahead.
(With agency inputs)
