An Air India flight en route from Hong Kong to Delhi was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue, reports ANI.
What we know about the flight?
Flight AI315, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed Hong Kong as scheduled but turned back mid-air after the pilot observed a possible system malfunction, according to sources familiar with the incident.
The aircraft landed safely back in Hong Kong, and all passengers were reported to be safe. Technical teams are currently inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the issue. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements have been made to fly the stranded passengers to their destination Delhi.
“AI315 operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 16 June 2025 air-returned to Hong Kong shortly after take off due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely at Hong Kong and is undergoing checks as a matter of abundant precaution. Alternative arrangements have been planned to fly the passengers to their destination Delhi at the earliest,” Air India spokesperson’s statement read.
On Saturday, a Saudia Airlines flight carrying 250 Hajj pilgrims encountered a technical malfunction with its landing gear upon arrival at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport early Sunday morning, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety.
Flight SV 3112, which departed from Jeddah at 10:45 pm on Saturday, touched down in Lucknow around 6:30 am. Moments after landing, airport officials reported that smoke and sparks were observed coming from the aircraft’s left wheel. The pilot acted swiftly, halting the aircraft on the runway and immediately alerting air traffic control. Emergency response teams rushed to the site and safely evacuated all passengers and crew.
Preliminary findings suggest that a hydraulic leak may have caused overheating in the wheel assembly, which in turn led to the sparks. Officials have confirmed that the situation was brought under control within 20 minutes.
Air India plane crash
The incident comes just days after a catastrophic Air India crash in Meghaninagar, where a London-bound flight from Ahmedabad went down shortly after takeoff. The crash, which occurred at 1:39 pm on June 12, resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 passengers and crew, along with 29 civilians on the ground, after the aircraft ploughed into a medical college campus.