Air India Faces Wave of Flight Disruptions Weeks After Fatal Crash
Weeks after the tragic crash of Air India Express Flight IX113 in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, India's national carrier is facing a troubling surge in flight-related problems. From emergency landings and technical snags to flight cancellations, the string of incidents has left many travellers anxious and aviation experts raising red flags.
Just this Sunday, Air India Express Flight IX110 from Hyderabad to Phuket had to return just 16 minutes into the flight due to a technical issue. Though passengers and crew landed safely, the incident is part of a growing list of disruptions this month — many involving aircraft turning back mid-air or being grounded before takeoff.
A Series of Alarming Incidents
Since mid-June, both Air India and its budget subsidiary, Air India Express, have reported multiple setbacks:
Flight AI315, operating between Hong Kong and Delhi, was forced to return mid-flight due to a technical malfunction detected by the crew.
Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after an issue was spotted during pre-flight checks. The return flight was also grounded because of Paris's night-flight restrictions.
A London-bound flight from Ahmedabad didn't take off due to aircraft unavailability linked to post-crash inspections.
Passengers on a Dubai–Jaipur Air India Express flight were reportedly kept on board for five hours without air conditioning or food after a technical issue.
A flight from Phuket to Delhi requested an emergency landing due to a bomb threat — which later turned out to be false.
In Kolkata, a San Francisco–Mumbai flight was stopped during a scheduled layover due to engine concerns.
Just this Monday, Flight IX-2564 from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu circled the Jammu airport before the pilot decided to return to Delhi due to a technical fault.
According to Bloomberg, more than 80 Air India flights were cancelled in the week following the Ahmedabad crash. While not all were due to technical reasons, the frequency of incidents has drawn public attention.
Growing Passenger Concerns
Alongside the disruptions, passengers have voiced concerns over poor in-flight systems, limited updates from crew, and inadequate support during delays. Many say the airline's communication with passengers during emergencies has been lacking, only deepening the unease.
While Air India and its subsidiaries have not released a detailed explanation for the recent wave of problems, experts suggest that heightened scrutiny after the crash — including stricter checks and operational reviews — may be playing a role.
For now, passengers are left hoping for smoother journeys ahead, and for India's flagship airline to restore confidence in its wings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
23-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Back-to-Back Incidents in Air India: Flight to Doha Makes Mid-Air U-Turn
Two Air India Group flights faced technical issues in the span of just two days, prompting swift action but no harm to passengers or crew. On Wednesday morning, an Air India Express flight (IX375) heading from Kozhikode to Doha had to return to Calicut International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue. The Boeing 737-86N had taken off at 9:17 AM and landed back safely at 11:12 AM. An airline spokesperson confirmed that a replacement aircraft was arranged, and passengers were served refreshments while they waited. The flight has since continued its journey. Just a day earlier, another incident occurred involving an Air India flight (AI315) from Hong Kong to Delhi. After landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, the aircraft experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU), which is a small engine usually located in the tail of the aircraft that powers key systems when the main engines are off. The fire broke out just as passengers were beginning to disembark. Fortunately, the APU shut down automatically as designed, and there were no injuries. All passengers and crew exited safely. The aircraft remains grounded for inspection, and authorities have been informed. While both events were handled swiftly and safely, they come as a reminder of the critical role of maintenance and safety protocols in air travel.
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Air India Faces Wave of Flight Disruptions Weeks After Fatal Crash
Passengers grow uneasy as technical issues and emergency landings mount. Weeks after the tragic crash of Air India Express Flight IX113 in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, India's national carrier is facing a troubling surge in flight-related problems. From emergency landings and technical snags to flight cancellations, the string of incidents has left many travellers anxious and aviation experts raising red flags. Just this Sunday, Air India Express Flight IX110 from Hyderabad to Phuket had to return just 16 minutes into the flight due to a technical issue. Though passengers and crew landed safely, the incident is part of a growing list of disruptions this month — many involving aircraft turning back mid-air or being grounded before takeoff. A Series of Alarming Incidents Since mid-June, both Air India and its budget subsidiary, Air India Express, have reported multiple setbacks: Flight AI315, operating between Hong Kong and Delhi, was forced to return mid-flight due to a technical malfunction detected by the crew. Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after an issue was spotted during pre-flight checks. The return flight was also grounded because of Paris's night-flight restrictions. A London-bound flight from Ahmedabad didn't take off due to aircraft unavailability linked to post-crash inspections. Passengers on a Dubai–Jaipur Air India Express flight were reportedly kept on board for five hours without air conditioning or food after a technical issue. A flight from Phuket to Delhi requested an emergency landing due to a bomb threat — which later turned out to be false. In Kolkata, a San Francisco–Mumbai flight was stopped during a scheduled layover due to engine concerns. Just this Monday, Flight IX-2564 from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu circled the Jammu airport before the pilot decided to return to Delhi due to a technical fault. According to Bloomberg, more than 80 Air India flights were cancelled in the week following the Ahmedabad crash. While not all were due to technical reasons, the frequency of incidents has drawn public attention. Growing Passenger Concerns Alongside the disruptions, passengers have voiced concerns over poor in-flight systems, limited updates from crew, and inadequate support during delays. Many say the airline's communication with passengers during emergencies has been lacking, only deepening the unease. While Air India and its subsidiaries have not released a detailed explanation for the recent wave of problems, experts suggest that heightened scrutiny after the crash — including stricter checks and operational reviews — may be playing a role. For now, passengers are left hoping for smoother journeys ahead, and for India's flagship airline to restore confidence in its wings.
Gulf Insider
13-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
UAE Embassy Issues Advisory As Spain Issues Red Alert For Rain
The UAE Embassy in Madrid has issued a safety advisory urging Emirati citizens in Spain to exercise extreme caution after Spanish authorities declared a red alert for torrential rains in Catalonia. On Saturday, Spain's national weather agency AEMET placed much of the northeastern region, including Barcelona and Tarragona, on the highest-level weather alert. The forecast warned of up to 90mm of rainfall per hour, raising fears of flash floods and triggering widespread transport disruptions. In an official statement, the UAE mission in Madrid stressed the importance of adhering to safety instructions issued by local authorities. Citizens were urged to stay informed, avoid high-risk areas, and register with the Tawajudi service. For emergencies, Emiratis in Spain can contact the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 0097180044444 or 0097180024. The torrential downpour led Spain's national railway operator to briefly suspend train services across Catalonia. Roads were blocked, a hospital in Barcelona flooded, and a US-bound flight was forced to return after hail damaged the aircraft mid-air. Beyond Catalonia, an orange alert was issued for parts of Aragon and the Valencia region due to the risk of heavy rain. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to escalate safety measures if conditions worsen. The red alert follows a history of deadly floods in Spain, including one of the worst in decades last October when 225 people died in Valencia due to torrential rain.
