Why Did Air India's Flight to the US Return to Mumbai?
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Synopsis
In a startling incident, an Air India flight bound for Newark had to turn back to Mumbai shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. This event raises questions about flight safety and operational protocols. Discover what happened and how the airline is addressing passenger concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Air India flight faced a technical issue prompting a return to Mumbai.
- Passengers received accommodations and rescheduling options.
- This incident follows another technical snag involving a different Air India flight.
- Stringent safety measures are crucial in aviation.
- Airlines must prioritize passenger safety and comfort.
Mumbai, Oct 22 (NationPress) An Air India flight that was meant to travel from Mumbai to Newark in the United States made a return shortly after take-off, as the flight crew detected a potential technical issue, according to an official statement from the airline released on Wednesday.
"The crew of flight AI191, operating from Mumbai to Newark on 22 October, executed a precautionary return to Mumbai due to a suspected technical problem. The flight landed safely back in Mumbai, and the aircraft is currently undergoing required inspections," stated Air India.
Details regarding the number of passengers on board, as well as the exact times of departure and return, were not included in the preliminary announcement. Typically, the AI1191 flight takes off at 01:10 hours (IST) from Mumbai and arrives in Newark at 07:55 hours (EDT).
As a result of this cancellation, the return flight from Newark to Mumbai, designated AI144, was also called off.
This incident follows closely after another Air India aircraft heading to Delhi faced a technical snag at Milan airport last Friday, leaving over 250 passengers stranded just before Diwali.
The airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANN) had encountered a technical complication upon landing in Milan, which hindered its ability to operate the return trip to Delhi.
To assist those affected, Air India organized an extra flight from Milan to Delhi on Oct 19 to repatriate the 256 passengers who had been stuck in Milan since October 17.
The airline stated that it provided all necessary immediate support to the impacted passengers, including hotel accommodations and meals. Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options were also made available based on passenger preferences.
A similar situation arose on August 16 of this year, when an Air India flight on the same route was canceled due to a technical issue identified during pushback.
According to Air India, a maintenance need was discovered just as the aircraft was getting ready for departure. This delay caused the operating crew to exceed the mandatory flight duty time limits, making it unsafe and against regulations for them to continue.
Point of View
I maintain that incidents like these highlight the importance of stringent safety checks and operational protocols in aviation. While technical issues can occur, it is essential for airlines to prioritize the safety and comfort of passengers, particularly during peak travel seasons.
NationPress
22/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Air India flight to return?
The flight returned due to a suspected technical snag identified by the crew shortly after takeoff.
What happens to passengers when flights are cancelled?
Air India offered immediate support including hotel accommodations, meals, and options for full refunds or complimentary rescheduling.
