New Delhi [India], June 20: An Air India flight (AI388) from Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City made a mid-air return to Delhi on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure, shortly after takeoff.
According to a statement issued by Air India,
“Flight AI388 returned safely, and all passengers were disembarked without incident. Refreshments were served, and a replacement aircraft with a fresh crew was arranged to fly them to Ho Chi Minh City at 6 PM today.”
Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, reaffirming that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
Aviation Ministry Reviews Airport Preparedness
Earlier in the day, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu conducted a video conference with Airport Directors across the country to review airport preparedness and passenger support mechanisms. This move comes amid a string of flight delays and cancellations due to:
- Post-accident safety checks
- Weather-related disruptions
- Airspace closures due to geopolitical tensions
Key directives issued included:
- Close coordination with airlines to handle delays and cancellations efficiently
- Ensuring basic amenities (food, water, seating) for waiting passengers
- Reinforcing wildlife hazard controls to prevent runway incidents
Airport staff have been instructed to proactively assist passengers and support airlines facing operational issues, including gate reassignments and logistical support.
Minister Holds Talks with Airlines Amid Crisis
The Civil Aviation Minister also held separate high-level meetings with the heads of Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet, and Akasa to review:
- Fleet readiness
- Passenger convenience
- Communication transparency
Due to ongoing challenges—such as Middle East tensions, European night flight bans, and safety inspections—Air India will temporarily reduce operations. Affected passengers will be offered refunds or rebooking, and the airline was urged to improve communication and service quality at airports.
Update on AI-171 Crash Probe
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the Air India AI-171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 241 lives.
Key updates:
- Flight data and cockpit voice recorders (black boxes) recovered on June 13 and 16
- Investigation teams from NTSB (US) and the aircraft’s manufacturer (OEM) are assisting
- Site documentation and evidence collection have been completed
The AAIB investigation is being conducted with technical accuracy and international protocol compliance under ICAO guidelines. The Ministry has emphasized that decisions about sending black boxes abroad for analysis will be made only after proper technical evaluation.
Officials urged media and the public to avoid speculation, as the integrity of the investigation must be preserved.