In yet another setback for Air India, the Ahmedabad to London Gatwick flight AI159 was cancelled today due to technical issues. The flight, which was scheduled to depart at 1:10 PM, could not take off, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. Air India has announced that full refunds will be provided to all affected passengers, but the airline has yet to clarify the exact nature of the technical problem that led to the cancellation.
This particular flight, AI159, carries its own recent history. It was earlier operating under the flight number AI171. On June 12, AI171 faced a serious incident, after which the flight number was discontinued and replaced with AI159. Today marked only the second scheduled flight for AI159 after that incident. While the first flight after the change operated smoothly on June 16, today's flight cancellation has once again raised concerns about the airline’s operational stability.
Adding to the day's aviation troubles, another unrelated but alarming incident unfolded with an Indigo flight. Indigo’s flight 6E 2706, operating from Kochi to Delhi, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Nagpur after receiving a bomb threat. Authorities acted swiftly, safely evacuating all passengers upon landing. Bomb detection and disposal squads, along with police and CISF teams, immediately secured the aircraft, which was moved to an isolated bay for thorough investigation. As of now, security teams continue their checks to ensure the threat was either neutralized or a hoax.
The past 24 hours have been particularly rough for the Indian aviation sector. Multiple Air India flights have faced technical issues. Earlier today, Air India flight AI80, a Boeing 777-200LR, encountered engine troubles during its journey from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata. The flight landed in Kolkata at around 12:45 AM. Shortly before its scheduled onward journey to Mumbai at 2:00 AM, the crew reported a technical issue with the aircraft's left engine. After initial delays, the airline decided to deboard all passengers around 5:20 AM, arranging for alternative flights to continue the journey.
In yet another incident from yesterday, an Air India flight operating between Hong Kong and Delhi was forced to return to Hong Kong mid-flight due to a technical malfunction. Notably, this aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner – the same aircraft series involved in the June 12 incident in Ahmedabad that led to the renumbering of the current AI159 flight.
Interestingly, this trend of technical issues was not limited to Indian carriers. British Airways also reported a technical glitch with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating flight BA35 from London to Chennai. Due to the unspecified technical problem, the aircraft had to return to London, once again highlighting a series of back-to-back disruptions involving the Dreamliner series aircraft.
Despite multiple incidents across different airlines, none of the operators have released detailed explanations of the technical problems their aircraft have faced. This lack of transparency is raising growing concerns among passengers and industry observers alike about the safety and reliability of long-haul international flights, especially involving Boeing wide-body aircraft.
As these events continue to develop, passengers are hoping for better communication, quicker resolutions, and improved maintenance standards to restore confidence in international air travel. The repeated disruptions have not only impacted travel plans but have also triggered broader questions about aircraft safety checks and preventive maintenance measures.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on available news reports and official statements at the time of writing. Developments in aviation incidents can change as investigations progress. Readers are advised to follow official airline and government sources for the most accurate and updated information. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute any official announcement or advice.
