An Air India flight en route from San Francisco to Mumbai experienced a technical issue during a scheduled stopover in Kolkata, leading to significant delays and passenger inconvenience. Flight AI180, a Boeing 777-200LR, landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata at 12:45 AM on Tuesday. The aircraft was scheduled to depart for Mumbai at 2:00 AM; however, a technical snag was detected in the left engine during the refueling process.
As a precautionary measure and in the interest of passenger safety, the captain instructed all 224 passengers to deplane at 5:20 AM. Passengers were accommodated in nearby hotels, and refreshments were provided during the extended wait. The airline arranged a dedicated rescue flight to transport passengers to Mumbai later in the day. This incident follows a series of technical issues faced by Air India flights in recent days. On Monday, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was forced to return to the capital shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical problem. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft was originally scheduled to land at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport at 6:20 PM but returned to Delhi as a precautionary measure. After inspection and clearance, the aircraft resumed normal operations.
Earlier, an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi was also forced to return mid-air after the pilot reported a suspected technical problem. Flight AI315, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had taken off from Hong Kong and was expected to land in Delhi at 12:20 PM. All passengers deboarded safely, and the aircraft underwent a safety inspection. These incidents have raised concerns about the airline’s operational reliability and safety protocols. Passengers have expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication and the extended delays experienced during these disruptions. The airline has assured affected passengers of full refunds and compensation for any additional expenses incurred due to the cancellations and delays.
In response to these events, aviation authorities have initiated safety checks across Air India’s fleet. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is closely monitoring the situation to ensure compliance with safety standards and to prevent further incidents. As Air India works to address these technical challenges, passengers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses and to reach out to the airline’s customer service for assistance with rebooking or compensation.
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