An Air India Express flight bound for Ranchi had to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff on Monday due to a suspected technical fault. The Boeing 737 Max 8, originally scheduled to arrive at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport by 6:20 PM, was diverted back as a precaution. Following a thorough inspection and clearance, the aircraft resumed regular operations, an airline spokesperson confirmed.
“One of our flights returned to Delhi after takeoff due to a potential technical issue. After necessary checks, the aircraft was cleared and continued its scheduled service. We apologize for the inconvenience,” the spokesperson stated.
In a separate incident earlier the same day, another Air India flight en route from Hong Kong to Delhi was forced to return to its point of origin after the pilot noticed a possible technical issue mid-flight. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 315, had departed from Hong Kong and was expected to arrive in Delhi around 12:20 PM, according to FlightRadar24.
Passengers disembarked safely upon return, and the aircraft is currently undergoing detailed safety inspections. The airline noted that the decision to turn back was made as a precautionary step to ensure passenger safety.
These developments come in the wake of a tragic crash involving Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London on June 12. The accident resulted in the loss of 241 lives, leaving just one survivor—Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian descent, who sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical care.
Following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated intensified safety audits for Air India’s fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Of the airline’s 33 Dreamliners, nine have already been inspected, and the remaining 24 are scheduled for evaluation within the DGCA’s specified timeframe.
In response to the incident, a high-level meeting on aviation safety and security, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is scheduled for June 17.