Synopsis
Air India flight AI126 from Chicago to Delhi returned to Chicago after most lavatories became unusable due to items such as polythene bags and rags clogging the plumbing. The airline expressed empathy towards affected passengers and provided assistance upon landing.Key Takeaways
- Flight AI126 experienced lavatory issues due to improper disposal of waste.
- Eight out of twelve lavatories became unserviceable.
- The flight diverted back to Chicago after crossing Greenland.
- Passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and alternative flights.
- Air India urges proper use of lavatories to prevent similar incidents.
New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Following reports of an Air India flight returning to Delhi from Chicago due to the majority of its lavatories becoming clogged and non-functional, the airline stated on Monday that their teams discovered polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been improperly flushed and were obstructing the plumbing.
This situation resulted in eight of the twelve lavatories becoming unserviceable on flight AI126, which was traveling from Chicago to Delhi on March 5, according to an official statement from Air India.
"We sincerely sympathize with the passengers who experienced discomfort and whose travel plans were disrupted due to the flight's diversion," the airline noted.
The flight had already crossed over Greenland when the decision was made to return to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after complaints regarding the toilets were raised by travelers.
About an hour and forty-five minutes into the journey, the crew reported that several lavatories in both Business and Economy Class had become unserviceable.
"Our teams identified polythene bags, rags, and clothing that had been flushed and caused plumbing issues. This resulted in the lavatories being taken out of service," the airline stated.
As a result, eight of the twelve lavatories on board were rendered unusable, which led to inconvenience for everyone on the flight.
"At this point, the aircraft was flying over the Atlantic, with potential diversion points in Europe. However, due to limitations on night operations at most European airports, it was decided to return to Chicago," the airline explained.
Upon landing in Chicago, all passengers received immediate assistance, including hotel accommodations and options for alternative flights to continue their journey to Delhi.
"While not found on AI126 on March 5, 2025, our teams have previously encountered items such as blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste, improperly disposed of in toilets on other flights," said Air India.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind passengers to use lavatories strictly for their intended purposes," an Air India representative added.
In a separate incident, an Air India flight traveling from Mumbai to New York, carrying 322 passengers, returned after eight hours in the air due to a bomb threat that was later confirmed to be a hoax. The alert was triggered after a bomb threat was discovered written on a piece of paper in one of the plane's lavatories, according to a security official.
Following a safe landing in Mumbai, the aircraft underwent mandatory inspections by security agencies, which, after thorough evaluations, confirmed that the threat had been a hoax, according to an official.
