Etihad flight EY343 cancelled at Chennai after hydraulic leak found before takeoff
Synopsis
An Etihad Airways Airbus A320 with 280 passengers on board was grounded at Chennai airport on 12 May after engineers detected a hydraulic leak seconds before takeoff. Initial reports of smoke near the left wing triggered a fire response, but the airline confirmed no fire occurred — a reminder that pre-flight safety checks work when they're meant to.
Key Takeaways
Etihad Airways flight EY343 was cancelled at Chennai airport on 12 May 2025 due to a hydraulic leak detected before takeoff.
The Airbus A320 had approximately 280 passengers on board; all were safely deboarded with no injuries reported.
The aircraft was declared "Aircraft on Ground" (AOG) and towed to the parking bay for maintenance.
Initial reports of smoke near the left wing prompted fire and rescue deployment, but Etihad confirmed no fire occurred onboard.
The flight was expected to depart with a delay of approximately three hours ; staff assisted passengers with onward arrangements.
An Etihad Airways flight from Chennai to Abu Dhabi was cancelled on Tuesday, 12 May after a hydraulic leak was detected during pre-takeoff checks, prompting emergency protocols and the safe deboarding of all passengers. No injuries were reported in the incident.
What Happened on the Runway
The Airbus A320 operating flight EY343 was preparing for departure from Chennai airport with approximately 280 passengers on board when engineers identified a hydraulic leak during routine pre-takeoff checks. The aircraft was immediately declared "Aircraft on Ground" (AOG), a designation indicating the plane is unfit for operations until inspection and repairs are completed.
Initial reports had suggested that smoke or signs of fire were noticed near the aircraft's left wing during takeoff preparations, triggering concern among passengers and airport authorities. Fire and rescue services were immediately deployed as a precautionary measure.
Airline's Clarification
Etihad Airways subsequently clarified that there was no fire onboard the aircraft. In a statement, the airline said flight EY343 had taxied back to the gate following a technical issue before takeoff. The carrier stressed that emergency services responded in line with standard safety procedures at Chennai airport and that their deployment was purely precautionary.
Passengers were safely deboarded and the aircraft was towed back to the parking bay for maintenance checks. The airline stated that the flight was expected to depart with a delay of approximately three hours and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused.
Passenger Assistance Measures
Etihad Airways said its ground staff were actively assisting affected travellers with onward journey arrangements. The airline also advised passengers to update their contact details through its official website to receive real-time flight updates via SMS and email notifications.
Etihad's India Operations
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has recently expanded its India footprint, introducing twice-daily Airbus A321LR services to Mumbai and New Delhi, in addition to its existing double-daily wide-body operations on those routes. Tuesday's technical disruption at Chennai underscores the importance of pre-flight safety protocols, which in this case functioned as intended — preventing a potentially more serious situation from developing in the air.
Point of View
Highlighting how quickly unverified accounts spread at airports. Etihad's three-hour delay estimate, while inconvenient, reflects responsible maintenance prioritisation. As the airline aggressively expands its India capacity with A321LR double-dailies, Tuesday's episode is a reminder that network growth must be matched by equally robust ground-level communication protocols.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Etihad flight EY343 from Chennai cancelled?
Flight EY343 was cancelled after engineers detected a hydraulic leak on the Airbus A320 during pre-takeoff checks at Chennai airport on 12 May 2025. The aircraft was declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG) and taken for maintenance, with all 280 passengers safely deboarded.
Was there a fire on the Etihad flight at Chennai airport?
No. Etihad Airways clarified that there was no fire onboard the aircraft. Initial reports had suggested smoke near the left wing, which prompted fire and rescue services to respond as a precaution, but the airline confirmed the deployment was purely precautionary.
Were any passengers injured in the Etihad Chennai incident?
No injuries were reported. All approximately 280 passengers on board flight EY343 were safely deboarded and assisted by airline staff at Chennai airport.
How long was the Etihad EY343 flight delayed?
Etihad Airways said the flight was expected to depart with a delay of approximately three hours. The airline apologised for the inconvenience and advised passengers to update their contact details on its website for SMS and email updates.
What is an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) declaration?
An Aircraft on Ground (AOG) declaration means the aircraft has been deemed unfit for operations and must remain grounded until the identified technical fault is fully inspected and repaired. It is a standard aviation safety designation used globally.
