MUMBAI– A London-bound Air India flight from Delhi was forced to return to the bay on Thursday after the cockpit crew detected a suspected technical fault prior to take-off.
The flight, designated AI-2017, was preparing for departure when the pilots aborted the take-off run and returned the aircraft for precautionary checks.
“Flight AI-2017 operating from Delhi to London on July 31 returned to bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures,” Air India said in a statement.
The airline confirmed that all safety protocols were followed and that an alternate aircraft is being arranged to transport passengers to London as soon as possible. “Our ground staff is extending full support and care to minimize inconvenience. At Air India, passenger safety and well-being remain our top priority,” the airline added.
The incident comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny. Just days earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) flagged 51 safety lapses at Air India during its annual audit, including outdated manuals, incomplete pilot training, unqualified simulators, and irregularities in low-visibility operations.
Seven of those lapses were classified as critical Level I breaches, with a deadline of July 30 for resolution. The remaining 44 must be addressed by August 23.
The DGCA has also issued three show-cause notices to Air India, giving the airline 15 days to respond. The action follows enforcement steps such as the grounding of an aircraft that had missed its emergency slide inspection.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told Parliament that enforcement action had been initiated against both the airline and responsible personnel, in line with DGCA’s enforcement procedures. (Source: IANS)
