Air India’s domestic and international operations faced disruptions on Monday due to a series of technical and operational setbacks, affecting passengers across multiple routes.
Flight AI2493 from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was cancelled after repeated delays caused by operational issues. Sources revealed that the assigned crew reached the limit of their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) during the delay, making them ineligible to operate the flight further for safety reasons. The Airbus A321-211 (VT-PPL) was grounded, and passengers were informed later about the cancellation.
Meanwhile, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was diverted back to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical snag in the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Following inspection and clearance by engineers, the aircraft resumed its scheduled operations. An Air India Express spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
In another incident, Flight AI315 from Hong Kong to Delhi, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was diverted back to Hong Kong mid-air after the pilot reported a possible technical issue. All passengers safely deboarded, and the aircraft is currently undergoing detailed safety checks.
These multiple incidents have raised fresh concerns over the reliability of Air India’s operations amid its ongoing fleet and service revamp efforts.