Air India grounded flight AI-180 from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport early Tuesday after detecting a technical snag in one of its engines, causing a significant delay for passengers.
Flight grounded after technical issue detected
Flight AI-180 landed in Kolkata around 12:45 AM, and Air India scheduled its departure for Mumbai at 2:00 AM, with an expected arrival at 4:50 AM.
However, the aircraft remained grounded after technical teams identified a problem in one of its engines.
By 5:20 AM, the captain instructed passengers to disembark, citing safety concerns as the reason for the delay.
The aircraft was then moved to the airport tarmac for inspection.
Technical team begins engine inspection
After passengers disembarked, Air India’s ground and technical teams began assessing the engine to determine the nature and severity of the fault.
The aircraft remains under inspection at Kolkata Airport.
According to the latest update, all passengers are safe, and Air India is arranging an alternative flight to Mumbai for those affected by the delay.
String of Air India technical incidents
This incident follows a series of technical issues involving Air India and Air India Express flights in recent days.
On June 12, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all but one passenger.
The aircraft crashed into a doctor’s hostel near the airport, sparking widespread concern over aviation safety.
More recently, Air India Express flight IX 1511, scheduled to fly from Hindon Airport (Uttar Pradesh) to Kolkata, faced a technical fault just as the pilot prepared for takeoff.
The aircraft was delayed for about an hour on the runway before it was cleared to continue its journey.
Ongoing safety inspections and passenger support
With AI-180 still grounded, Air India is working to resolve the technical issue and ensure passenger safety.
The airline has not yet provided an estimated departure time for the replacement flight, but confirmed that passenger well-being remains a top priority.
Also Read: Air India Cancels London-Bound Flight From Ahmedabad After Technical Glitch
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