Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: An Air India flight en route from Hong Kong to New Delhi was forced to turn back mid-flight on Monday after the pilot detected a possible technical issue.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had already departed from Hong Kong and was flying toward India when the anomaly was identified. According to sources, the crew made the decision to return to Hong Kong as a precautionary measure. The plane landed safely, and all passengers and crew onboard are reported to be unharmed.
The airline has not yet disclosed specific details about the nature of the technical issue. However, this in-flight incident adds to growing concerns over aircraft safety, especially coming just days after a devastating crash involving another Air India Dreamliner.
Last week, flight AI-171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off. The aircraft struck a doctors’ hostel near BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. There were 242 people onboard—230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, 241 lost their lives, along with several people on the ground.
The lone survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, is currently receiving medical treatment for severe injuries.
The two back-to-back incidents have triggered alarm across the aviation sector, raising urgent questions about aircraft maintenance, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight.
Both incidents are under investigation, with aviation authorities and technical experts working to determine causes and potential links, if any, between the failures.
Meanwhile, Air India expressed deep gratitude to the central and Gujarat state governments for their prompt support following the crash of AI-171. In a message posted Sunday on social media platform X, the airline thanked authorities for their assistance during the crisis.
Air India also praised the efforts of doctors, nurses, students, and volunteers at Civil Hospital and Rajasthan Hospital in Ahmedabad for their relentless commitment to aiding victims and families in the wake of the tragedy.
The airline further acknowledged the Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, for mobilizing support teams to assist grieving families and coordinate relief operations.
As investigations continue, calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards in India’s aviation sector are intensifying.