A scheduled Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata faced a significant delay early Tuesday after a technical snag in the left engine grounded the aircraft at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, prompting the deplaning of passengers during the unscheduled halt.
Flight AI180, which departed on time from San Francisco International Airport, touched down in Kolkata shortly before 1 am. However, technical teams discovered an issue in the aircraft’s left engine, rendering it unfit for immediate onward travel to Mumbai. Despite initial efforts to inspect and resolve the fault, passengers were asked to deboard nearly four hours later, around 5:20 am, as a precautionary measure prioritising flight safety. According to airline officials, the pilot’s announcement cited technical difficulties and reiterated the need to ensure safety before proceeding. While all passengers were unharmed, many expressed concern over the prolonged wait and the lack of immediate communication regarding the fault. The passengers were accommodated at the airport, with arrangements being made to either resume the flight or rebook them on alternate schedules.
Ground footage from Kolkata airport showed engineers inspecting the aircraft’s left engine while the aircraft remained stationary on the tarmac. The visual evidence underscored the severity of the glitch, although the airline has yet to disclose the exact nature of the mechanical failure or the timeframe for repair. The incident adds to a growing list of operational challenges and safety concerns surrounding India’s flagship carrier. Only days prior, another Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London had met with a catastrophic incident shortly after takeoff, involving structural damage upon collision with a structure adjacent to the airport. That episode, which involved significant loss of life, has further heightened scrutiny of Air India’s maintenance practices and regulatory oversight.
While the current issue in Kolkata did not result in any casualties or injuries, aviation experts note that recurring glitches raise red flags about the reliability of older aircraft in the carrier’s fleet. It is understood that the aircraft in question was a Boeing 777, part of the long-haul fleet deployed on international routes. Officials noted that comprehensive diagnostics would be required before the aircraft could be cleared for further operations. Maintenance standards in Indian civil aviation have come under increasing observation, particularly in the context of rapid fleet expansion and increased international connectivity. As Air India pushes for a stronger global presence post-privatisation, ensuring operational resilience and system reliability has become imperative—not only for its brand reputation but also for compliance with international aviation safety norms.
In recent years, Air India has undertaken efforts to modernise its fleet and enhance service quality. The airline’s management had earlier committed to transitioning to more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft to support sustainable aviation goals. However, legacy aircraft remain in operation due to logistical and financial constraints, often becoming susceptible to mid-flight issues. Passengers aboard flight AI180 were largely cooperative during the deplaning process, although frustration over delays and limited information was evident. Airport authorities facilitated the transfer of luggage and managed passenger queries, but the delay is expected to have a cascading effect on connecting flights and travel schedules, particularly for those relying on AI180 as part of their long-haul journey plans.
A senior airline official later issued a statement assuring that “all necessary protocols were followed” and that the inconvenience to passengers was regrettable but unavoidable given the safety considerations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to seek a detailed report from the airline regarding the mechanical issue and the remedial measures taken thereafter. Industry observers believe that such incidents—though rare—highlight the need for predictive maintenance tools, real-time monitoring systems, and robust crew training. Ensuring passenger safety while maintaining schedule integrity is a challenging balancing act, but non-negotiable in a sector where public trust hinges on precision, accountability, and transparency.
From a sustainability perspective, delayed flights and emergency halts have indirect environmental implications as well. Unscheduled idling of aircraft engines, towing operations, and subsequent rescheduling increase the overall carbon footprint per passenger kilometre. Experts argue that timely servicing and phase-out of ageing aircraft should form a part of broader airline decarbonisation strategies, in line with India’s net-zero aviation goals. As air traffic continues to rise post-pandemic, and India cements its role as a global aviation hub, the importance of stringent checks, timely upgrades, and a culture of safety cannot be overstated. For Air India, the episode in Kolkata is yet another reminder of the tightrope it must walk between expansion and excellence.
The airline has not confirmed the revised departure schedule of the flight or whether a replacement aircraft will be deployed for the onward journey to Mumbai. Affected passengers were provided refreshments and customer service support, though many took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the delay and perceived lack of communication. While no formal probe has been announced yet, regulatory intervention could follow if recurrent issues are observed in the same aircraft or route. Until then, passengers and regulators alike will be watching closely to ensure that operational resilience is more than a slogan—it becomes standard operating procedure.
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