Back-to-Back Incidents in Air India: Flight to Doha Makes Mid-Air U-Turn
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- 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
06-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
UAE-India Flights: Air India Express Cuts Fares
UAE residents planning trips to India can take advantage of a new 'flash sale' announced by Air India Express. The budget carrier has slashed flights between the UAE and India for a limited period, with prices starting from just ₹5,786 (Dh247.7) for Xpress Lite fares. The 'Flash Sale' offers discounted fares across different categories, including Xpress Value at ₹6,128 (Dh262.42) and Xpress Flex at ₹7,041 (Dh301.5). These special fares are valid for travel on July 22, 24, and 25. Air India Express, a Tata Enterprise and a subsidiary of Air India operates a significant number of flights connecting 38 domestic and 17 international airports, making it a popular choice for travellers between the UAE and India. The airline operates over 500 daily flights, connecting 38 domestic and 17 international airports, with a fleet of 112 aircraft comprising 72 Boeing 737s and 40 Airbus A320s. Bookings for this limited-time offer are open until June 6. They can be made through the airline's website ( mobile app, and other primary booking channels. Air India Express also offers zero convenience fees on Xpress Lite bookings made through its website. Passengers opting for Xpress Lite fares can also pre-book an additional 3 kg of cabin baggage for free and avail of discounted check-in baggage rates of ₹1,300 (Dh55.6) for 20 kg on international flights. Fares are also discounted on domestic routes. Travellers can book Express Lite fares starting from Dh57.7. Domestic flight sales are valid for travel between June 12 and September 24. Loyalty members can also benefit from exclusive deals, including 25 per cent off on Xpress Biz fares and upgrades and discounts on excess baggage, seat selection, and meals. Special offers are also available for students, senior citizens, doctors, nurses, and members of the armed forces and their dependents. Also read: UAE Exempts 222 Citizens From $39mn in Debts
