Mumbai: Yet another Air India flight was disrupted due to suspected technical snag on Wednesday. Flight AI191 that departed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai early on Wednesday for Newark in the US, was forced to turn back mid-air, the airline confirmed.
According to Air India, the crew decided to turn the aircraft back to Mumbai after detecting a potential technical anomaly while en route to Newark. The airline stated that the return was a precautionary measure undertaken strictly in accordance with standard safety protocols.
“The aircraft landed safely, and necessary inspections are currently underway to ensure its airworthiness,” an Air India spokesperson said. Both AI191 and its return leg, AI144 (Newark to Mumbai), were cancelled to allow for a detailed technical examination, the airline further announced.
Air India said that all affected passengers at Mumbai were provided with hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative Air India or partner airline flights to their destinations.
“Passengers scheduled on AI144 from Newark were also notified of the cancellation and are receiving assistance to arrange alternative travel as quickly as possible,” Air India said.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remain Air India’s top priority,” it added, noting that precautionary returns are “routine safety measures” designed to mitigate even minor risks.
There was another incident involving the airline last week. On October 17, Air India cancelled it’s flight from Milan to Delhi due to “an extended technical requirement,” leaving hundreds of passengers stranded just days before Diwali.
