An Air India flight to Indore was forced to return to Delhi on Sunday morning. The cockpit crew received a “fire indication” in the right engine of its A320 neo aircraft.
Emergency Landing in Delhi
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff. The aircraft remained airborne for over 30 minutes before making an emergency landing at Delhi airport around 6:15 am.
Crew Followed Safety Protocols
Air India confirmed that the crew shut down the affected engine and followed standard safety procedures. The aircraft landed safely, and all 90 passengers on board were unharmed.
Flight Grounded for Inspection
The flight, AI2913, has been grounded for inspection. Passengers were later accommodated on another aircraft to complete their journey to Indore.
DGCA to Oversee Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed of the incident. It will supervise the inspection of the grounded aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Rising Concerns Over Safety
Recent months have seen multiple reports of technical issues involving Air India aircraft. These recurring glitches raise concerns over maintenance and operational reliability.
Need for Stronger Oversight
While the crew managed the emergency effectively, experts stress the need for stricter preventive maintenance and stronger regulatory oversight to restore passenger trust in Air India’s fleet.
