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Key Points

A London-bound Air India flight returned to the bay in Delhi after pilots detected a technical issue before takeoff. The airline assured passengers that safety protocols were followed and an alternate aircraft is being arranged. This incident follows a DGCA audit revealing 51 safety lapses, including critical breaches. The regulator has issued show-cause notices and grounded an aircraft for overdue inspections.

Key Points: Air India London Flight Returns to Bay Over Technical Issue

  • Air India flight aborts takeoff after cockpit crew detects fault
  • DGCA flagged 51 safety lapses in recent audit
  • Seven critical breaches must be fixed by July 30
  • Air India arranging alternate aircraft for affected passengers
2 min read

London-bound Air India flight returns to bay after suspected technical issue

A London-bound Air India flight from Delhi aborted takeoff due to a suspected technical fault, following recent DGCA safety lapses.

"Flight AI-2017 returned to bay due to a suspected technical issue... safety remains our top priority. – Air India"

Mumbai, July 31

A London-bound Air India flight from Delhi was forced to return to the bay on Thursday after the cockpit crew detected a suspected technical fault before take-off.

The flight, callsign AI-2017, was preparing to depart when the pilots halted the departure and brought the aircraft back for checks.

"Flight AI-2017 operating from Delhi to London on July 31 returned to bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks," the airline said in a statement.

The airline said that all necessary safety procedures were followed and that an alternative aircraft is being arranged to fly the passengers to London as soon as possible.

“Our ground staff is extending all support and care to the guests to minimise inconvenience caused due to this unexpected delay. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers remain the top priority,” the airline added.

The incident comes just days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) flagged 51 safety lapses at Air India during its annual audit.

These included outdated training manuals, incomplete pilot training, unqualified simulators, and irregularities in low-visibility operation approvals.

Of these lapses, seven were classified as critical Level I breaches, which the airline was instructed to address by July 30. The remaining 44 non-compliances must be rectified by August 23.

The DGCA’s action followed recent enforcement measures, including the grounding of an Air India aircraft found to have an overdue inspection of its emergency slide -- a crucial safety feature.

The regulator has also issued three show-cause notices to the airline, giving it 15 days to respond.

Earlier, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told Parliament that the DGCA had immediately grounded the aircraft involved in the overdue slide inspection until the necessary checks were completed.

"DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft till the required rectification was carried out. DGCA has initiated enforcement action against Air India and the responsible personnel as per the Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual of DGCA," Mohol, said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My cousin was on this flight! She said the crew handled the situation professionally but the delay caused her to miss an important meeting in London. Air India should compensate passengers better for such disruptions.
A
Aman W
This is concerning after the recent DGCA audit. Why does our national carrier keep having these issues? The government should intervene and bring in international aviation experts to overhaul Air India's safety systems.
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Sarah B
As a frequent flyer, I appreciate when airlines prioritize safety over schedules. But Air India needs to be more transparent about these technical issues - passengers deserve to know what exactly went wrong.
K
Karthik V
The DGCA audit findings are shocking! Outdated manuals and incomplete training? This is basic stuff. Air India needs to get its act together before there's a major incident. Safety can't be compromised for cost-cutting.
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Nisha Z
While this incident ended safely, it shows systemic problems. Maybe Tata should consider replacing the entire management team they inherited. India deserves better from its flag carrier!
M
Michael C
I fly Air India often between Delhi-London. Their safety record is actually better than many think - this shows their systems work when problems are detected. But yes, the audit findings need urgent attention.

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