New Delhi: An Air India flight from Hong Kong experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire in its tail section shortly after landing and parking at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. While the aircraft sustained some damage, all passengers and crew members safely disembarked.
The incident occurred on Flight AI 315, which was operating from Hong Kong to Delhi. According to an Air India spokesperson, “Flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 22 July 2025, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after it had landed and parked at the gate. The incident occurred while passengers had begun disembarking, and the APU was automatically shut down as per system design.”
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a small, independent engine typically located in the tail of an aircraft. Its primary function is to provide electrical power and pneumatic power (for air conditioning and engine starting) when the main engines are not running. Modern APUs are equipped with built-in fire detection and suppression systems.
The spokesperson further clarified, “There was some damage to the aircraft; however, passengers and crew members disembarked normally and are safe. The aircraft has been grounded for further investigations and the regulator has been duly notified.”
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that the fire was promptly extinguished and that an investigation into the matter is underway.
This incident marks another in a series of events for Air India this week. On Monday, an Air India flight bound for Kolkata had to abort takeoff at Delhi airport due to a technical snag. In a separate incident on the same day, Air India flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai, veered off the runway while landing in heavy rain at Mumbai airport. An airline spokesperson stated for the Mumbai incident, “The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked. The aircraft has been grounded for checks.” The Mumbai airport temporarily suspended operations on one of its runways following this event.
In an unrelated incident on Tuesday, an IndiGo plane carrying 140 passengers from Goa made an emergency landing at Indore airport due to a technical snag related to its landing gear. IndiGo confirmed the aircraft landed safely and would undergo necessary checks.