Air India has once again found itself under the spotlight, this time over a technical glitch that forced an emergency deplaning of passengers in Kolkata. Flight AI180, travelling from San Francisco to Mumbai with a scheduled stop in Kolkata, was halted on Tuesday after a fault was discovered in one of its engines.
Videos circulating on X show anxious passengers hurriedly collecting their belongings as instructions were issued inside the aircraft. The airline said the deplaning was precautionary, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
But the timing couldn’t be worse.
Just five days earlier, the crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad resulted in the deaths of 279 people—one of the deadliest air disasters in the country in recent years. That flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is now the subject of an intense investigation, with attention on engine thrust controls, wing mechanisms, and landing gear function. Authorities are combing through technical logs, maintenance records, and flight crew communication. The cockpit voice recorder recovered from the crash is expected to offer crucial details.
Tuesday’s AI180 emergency adds to what is fast becoming a very uncomfortable month for the national carrier. The fault was detected during the Kolkata stopover, and all passengers were evacuated safely. The airline has yet to provide specifics about what went wrong, referring to it only as a “technical snag.” But there was enough concern to warrant stopping the aircraft from continuing its journey to Mumbai.
In a gesture of goodwill, Air India has offered waivers for rescheduling and cancellations. But for passengers already rattled by last week’s news, that may feel like cold comfort.
Aviation circles have been raising eyebrows for a while. While the Boeing 787 is generally considered a reliable aircraft, Air India’s maintenance practices are being revisited. On the heels of the AI171 crash, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued new instructions mandating additional checks for all Air India-operated Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft fitted with GE GEnx engines. This includes many of the widebody planes flying international routes.
The scrutiny has also reached Air India’s external maintenance arrangements. The airline relies on a network of third-party service providers, including Turkish Technic. While such outsourcing is common, the recent failures have prompted questions about oversight and accountability.
It’s a difficult balancing act for the airline. On one hand, it’s part of the Tata Group’s broader ambition to transform Air India into a world-class player. On the other, it’s dealing with the legacy of aged infrastructure and public scepticism. And when back-to-back incidents occur—especially involving long-haul aircraft meant to compete globally—those ambitions take a hit.
Transport experts argue that while faults can and do occur even with top-tier carriers, the difference lies in how the airline communicates, investigates, and learns. “Passengers will forgive a delay. What they won’t tolerate is silence, or the sense that the same problems are happening again and again without resolution,” said one senior official familiar with India’s aviation sector.
So far, the airline’s messaging has been cautious. No sweeping promises. No long briefings. Just the basics: passengers were safe, the issue is being reviewed, safety is a priority.
But silence may not work much longer. Public confidence is brittle. Some passengers have already voiced concerns on social media, comparing the AI180 evacuation to the more tragic events of AI171.
For those on Tuesday’s flight, the mood ranged from annoyance to worry. Many were travelling to meet family or attend events in India, and the disruption has left them stranded mid-journey. Others simply expressed relief that the fault was caught before the next leg of the flight.
What happens next will depend on the outcomes of both the AI171 investigation and the ongoing review of the AI180 incident. One is already being treated as a tragedy. The other, at least for now, is a near-miss.
Air India says it is “working to ensure the aircraft is thoroughly examined and cleared before returning to service.” But until there are clearer answers, each departure will be shadowed by questions. The kind passengers shouldn’t have to ask as they fasten their seatbelts.
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