Air India has been hit by a spate of technical issues, with two separate international and domestic flights forced to make unscheduled landings in different parts of the world due to suspected mid-air snags within a span of hours. The airline has strongly asserted that the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew remain its top priority in both instances.
Incident 1: Delhi-Bengaluru Flight Diverted to Bhopal
The most recent incident occurred with a domestic service:
- Flight Details: Air India flight AI2487, operating from Delhi to Bengaluru, was diverted to Bhopal on Tuesday after the flight crew detected a suspected technical issue while en route. Reports indicate the issue may have been a warning of smoke in the cargo hold.
- Landing and Rectification: The aircraft landed safely at Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport. It is now undergoing precautionary checks, which the airline spokesperson confirmed are expected to take an extended time for rectification.
- Passenger Assistance: Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating that its ground team in Bhopal is providing “immediate assistance and support” to the passengers, with “every effort being made to fly the passengers to their destination at the earliest.” The flight was carrying 172 passengers when it was diverted.
Incident 2: San Francisco-Delhi Flight Diverted to Mongolia
This domestic diversion followed a significant long-haul interruption that took place the day before:
- Flight Details: Air India flight AI174 (November 2, 2025), a service operating from San Francisco to Delhi via Kolkata, made a precautionary landing at Ulaanbaatar International Airport in Mongolia. The diversion was initiated after the flight crew suspected a technical snag en route.
- Safety and Support: The airline confirmed the aircraft, a Boeing 777, landed safely. Passengers were disembarked and provided with meals on board, and arrangements for their stay, including hotel accommodation, were made after clearing immigration.
- Alternative Arrangements: In a statement posted on X, Air India acknowledged the inconvenience and assured passengers that alternative arrangements were being made to fly them to their destination in Delhi at the earliest. A recovery aircraft was being arranged to bring the 228 passengers and 17 crew members home.
In both situations, the flight crews adhered to strict safety protocols, ensuring all passengers and crew were protected despite the unforeseen circumstances.