An Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi was diverted to Kolkata on Sunday after the crew flagged a cabin temperature anomaly. The incident came mere hours after a Chennai-bound Air India flight returned to Mumbai after being alerted about a burning smell inside the cabin. The diversion is the latest in a series of mishaps linked to the airline that have come to light since the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash left all but one passenger dead.
“Air India flight AI357 operating from Haneda to Delhi on June 29 made a precautionary diversion to Kolkata due to persistent warm temperature experienced in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely in Kolkata and is currently undergoing checks,” the company said in an official statement.
The domestic carrier added that efforts were being made to minimise passenger inconveniences by the Air India ground staff in Kolkata airport. Alternative arrangements were also made to fly the stranded passengers to Delhi at the earliest possible opportunity.
Air India has faced growing scrutiny in recent weeks following the death of 260 people minutes after a London-bound flight took off from Ahmedabad airport. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had rammed into a nearby medical college hostel — killing all but one passenger as well as 19 people on the ground. Numerous others were left severely injured in the crash.
Earlier on Saturday, a Chennai-bound Air India flight returned to Mumbai, its departure location, after being alerted about a burning smell inside the cabin. Air India confirmed that the incident took place on Friday soon after AI 639 departed from Mumbai. An aircraft change was initiated after the plane landed safely in Mumbai.
“The crew of flight AI639 operating from Mumbai to Chennai on Friday, June 27, 2025, made a precautionary air return to Mumbai due to a burning smell in the cabin…Our ground colleagues in Mumbai provided all necessary support to passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption,” an Air India spokesperson said.
(With inputs from agencies)