Early on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Air India flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata was halted at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport after a technical snag was detected in the aircraft’s left engine during a scheduled stop.
All passengers were safely deplaned at around 5:20 am as a precautionary measure, delaying their onward journey by several hours. The captain cited flight safety as the reason for the decision, while aviation authorities have mandated additional maintenance checks on Air India’s Boeing fleet following a recent series of technical incidents.
Passengers, Crew, and Safety Take Centre Stage
Flight AI180, operated by a Boeing 777-200LR, landed in Kolkata at 12:45 am for its scheduled stop. Shortly after, a technical issue was identified in the left engine, prompting ground staff to inspect the aircraft on the tarmac. Over four hours later, at 5:20 am, the captain informed all 200-plus passengers that they would need to deplane in the interest of their safety.
Visuals from the airport showed ground personnel conducting checks on the affected engine, while passengers waited for further instructions and alternative arrangements. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported, and the airline prioritised passenger wellbeing throughout the incident.
A Pattern of Technical Glitches and Regulatory Response
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s wide-body aircraft, following a string of recent technical issues. Just days earlier, an Air India Dreamliner bound for London crashed near Ahmedabad, resulting in a tragic loss of life, while another Air India flight to Delhi had to return mid-air due to a suspected technical fault.
Internationally, a British Airways Boeing 787-8 also returned to London after experiencing a technical issue. In response, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance checks, including fuel parameter monitoring, diagnostics of critical systems, and engine control testing, to ensure passenger safety.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian urges all stakeholders, airlines, regulators, and the public, to remain vigilant and cooperative in prioritising air safety and passenger welfare. While technical glitches are not uncommon in aviation, the recent spate of incidents highlights the need for robust maintenance protocols, transparent communication, and swift corrective action.
We commend the captain and crew for their decisive action in deplaning passengers as a precaution, and we encourage authorities to continue their rigorous oversight.
