Air India cancelled its Ahmedabad–London flight on Tuesday, 17 June, after engineers detected a technical snag just before take-off.
Flight AI 159, with over 200 passengers on board, was scheduled to depart at 1 PM from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Engineers flagged potential safety concerns during pre-flight checks, prompting the airline to ground the aircraft moments before boarding.
Air India confirmed that it took the decision as a precaution to ensure the safety of all passengers.
The cancellation takes on added significance in the wake of the devastating Air India crash on 12 June.
The ill-fated Dreamliner, flight AI-171, also bound for London, crashed minutes after take-off from the same airport.
The aircraft struck the BJ Medical College hostel, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and several medical students on the ground.
The incident, one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history, has raised critical concerns over Air India’s safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards.
String of incidents raises alarms
Following the AI-171 tragedy, several other Air India aircraft have reported technical malfunctions.
Air India grounded a San Francisco–Mumbai flight during its layover in Kolkata on Tuesday after engineers suspected an engine fault.
The airline asked all passengers to disembark while the crew carried out safety inspections.
A day earlier, Air India Express diverted its Delhi–Ranchi flight back to the national capital shortly after take-off due to suspected technical issues.
In another incident, Air India pilots turned back a flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi after the aircraft reportedly developed mid-air problems.
The aircraft landed safely and is currently undergoing a technical review.
Air India issued a public statement reassuring passengers that it is examining all aircraft ‘as a matter of abundant precaution’.
The airline emphasised that passenger safety remains its top priority and that enhanced inspections are now standard following recent events.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly increased oversight across all major airlines in India.
As reported faults surge across the aviation industry, authorities are set to conduct stringent audits of Air India, now operated by the Tata Group, in the coming weeks.
While the cancellation of flight AI 159 caused significant disruption for travellers, many have expressed relief that the airline chose caution over risk.
As investigations continue into AI-171 and broader safety reviews unfold, the spotlight remains firmly on Air India’s operational integrity and technical preparedness.
Also Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash: DNA Matching Confirms Identities Of 144 Victims
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