Air India Delhi-New York flight engine damaged after container sucked in at IGI airport

NEW DELHI: Air India’s new Airbus A350 (VT-JRB), carrying over 250 passengers, suffered a double setback while operating as AI 101 from Delhi to New York on Thursday morning.First, the flight had to return to Delhi due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace. Then, while taxiing to the parking bay at IGIA Airport, an improperly secured container was sucked into one of its engines. The aircraft has now been grounded for repairs, worsening Air India’s widebody crunch, with one of its six A350s out of service for the time being.The incident highlights ongoing concerns about airside safety at some Indian airports, where vehicles or unattended baggage containers have previously collided with aircraft. Ensuring a sanitised and secure airside is especially critical in dense fog conditions. According to tracking sites, the aircraft had taken off from Delhi at 2.36 am. While in Ahmedabad airspace, the Iranian airspace it was scheduled to overfly was suddenly closed. The airline decided to return to Delhi. Two additional Air India flights—Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-JFK—were also cancelled due to this closure. However, upon returning to Delhi, VT-JRB encountered the engine incident when an unsecured baggage container was drawn into its right-side engine while taxiing to the terminal.Air India issues statement An Air India spokesperson said, “Air India confirms that Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, which impacted its planned route. Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine. The aircraft was safely positioned at the designated parking stand, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board.”

“The aircraft is currently grounded for a thorough investigation and necessary repairs, which may cause potential disruptions on select A350 routes. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers and is proactively assisting them with alternative travel arrangements and refunds, as preferred. Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India, and the airline is committed to providing support during this time,” the spokesperson added.