An Air India long-haul flight from Delhi to New York suffered engine damage on Thursday after a baggage container was sucked into one of its engines while the aircraft was taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The incident occurred amid dense fog conditions, prompting the airline to ground the aircraft and launch a detailed investigation.
According to Air India, the Airbus A350 aircraft operating Flight AI101 had earlier returned to Delhi shortly after take-off due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, which disrupted its planned route to New York’s JFK Airport. After landing safely back in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object on the taxiway.
“Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine,” an Air India spokesperson said. The airline confirmed that the plane was safely brought to its designated parking stand and that all passengers and crew were unharmed.
Following the incident, the aircraft was grounded for thorough inspections and necessary repairs. Air India also warned that the grounding of the A350 could lead to temporary disruptions on select international routes operated by the aircraft type.
The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and said it is offering alternative travel arrangements or refunds based on passenger preference. “Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India, and the airline is committed to providing full support to affected passengers,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe to determine how the baggage container came onto the taxiway and was ingested by the engine. The investigation will also examine airport ground-handling procedures and safety protocols during low-visibility conditions.
The incident comes at a time when several international flights from India are already facing rerouting and delays due to geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions in the Middle East, adding further pressure on airline operations and passenger schedules.
