Turbulence in the Skies: Air India’s String of Flight Emergencies Sparks Nationwide Alarm

The Indian aviation sector is reeling from a series of alarming incidents involving Air India flights, with the latest scare involving flight AI2145 from Delhi to Bali, Indonesia. This incident, alongside several other cancellations and emergencies in recent days, has sent shockwaves through the nation, raising urgent questions about passenger safety and the state of India’s flagship airline.

A Routine Journey Turns Into a Nightmare

It was supposed to be a routine international flight. On June 18, Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI2145, took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, bound for the tropical paradise of Bali. Passengers, excited for their vacations or business trips, could hardly have imagined the ordeal awaiting them.

Shortly after takeoff, as the aircraft soared above the clouds, the captain received a chilling update: a volcanic eruption had occurred near Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, a volcano in Indonesia, had erupted violently, spewing ash and forcing the evacuation of nearby villages. The sky over Bali quickly filled with volcanic debris, making it unsafe for any aircraft to land.

The Decision: Turn Back or Risk Disaster

Inside the cockpit, tense discussions unfolded. Air traffic controllers relayed the latest updates, warning that visibility was near zero and the airspace was hazardous. Air India’s operations team, prioritizing passenger safety, made the call: turn the flight back to Delhi.

The announcement came over the intercom, the pilot’s voice steady but grave: “Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances at our destination, we will be returning to Delhi. Your safety is our utmost priority.” Anxiety rippled through the cabin as passengers exchanged worried glances, some clutching their armrests, others whispering prayers.

Safe Landing, But Questions Remain

The Dreamliner made a safe landing back at Delhi. Air India quickly issued a statement, explaining that the flight had returned due to the volcanic eruption near Bali, and reassuring the public that all passengers were safe. The airline arranged hotel accommodations for the stranded travelers and promised full refunds for those who wished to cancel their trips. Others were offered the option to reschedule their flights.

But for the shaken passengers, the ordeal was not easily forgotten. “It was terrifying,” said Renu Sharma, a passenger on AI2145. “We didn’t know if we would make it. I kept thinking about my family. I’m grateful to be alive, but I’m not sure I’ll ever feel safe flying again.”

A Pattern of Trouble: Air India Under Scrutiny

The AI2145 incident was not an isolated case. In the days leading up to June 18, Air India had faced a spate of flight cancellations and emergencies, many involving its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

On June 17, flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was cancelled at the last minute due to technical issues. The same aircraft series had been involved in a major accident just days earlier, on June 12, in Ahmedabad, where a Dreamliner incident claimed the lives of 270 people—a tragedy that still haunts the nation.

In response to the accident, Air India discontinued its Ahmedabad-London AI171 route, renaming it AI159. Yet, on its very first flight after the tragedy, AI159 was cancelled again, fueling speculation and fear among the public.

A Cascade of Cancellations

The troubles didn’t stop there. According to an India Today report, a total of seven Air India flights were cancelled on June 17 alone, each for different reasons. The affected flights included:

AI915 (Delhi to Dubai, B787 Dreamliner)
AI153 (Delhi to Vienna, B787 Dreamliner)
AI143 (Delhi to Paris, B787 Dreamliner)
AI159 (Ahmedabad to London, B787 Dreamliner)
AI170 (London to Amritsar, B787 Dreamliner)
AI133 (Bengaluru to London, B787 Dreamliner)
AI179 (Mumbai to San Francisco, Boeing 777)

Each cancellation left hundreds of passengers stranded, their travel plans in tatters, and their confidence in Air India deeply shaken.

Midnight Mayhem in Kolkata

The chaos reached new heights on the night of June 17, when Air India’s AI180, a Boeing 777-200LR arriving from San Francisco, was forced to halt in Kolkata due to a technical fault in the left engine. Passengers, already exhausted from the long-haul journey, were ordered to disembark at 5:20 AM, hours after their scheduled stopover.

“We were stuck on the plane for hours, not knowing what was happening,” recounted Prakash Mehta, a businessman returning from the US. “The crew did their best, but the uncertainty was unbearable. When they finally told us about the engine problem, I was terrified.”

The stranded travelers were eventually rerouted to Mumbai on a different flight, but the incident further eroded trust in Air India’s ability to ensure passenger safety.

The Aftermath of Tragedy: The Ahmedabad Disaster

The shadow of the June 12 Ahmedabad disaster looms large over every subsequent incident. That day, a catastrophic failure involving a Dreamliner resulted in the deaths of 270 people, marking one of the darkest days in Indian aviation history. Families were torn apart, survivors left traumatized, and the nation mourned.

In the wake of the tragedy, Air India and its parent company, Air India Express, came under intense scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). High-level meetings were convened, with regulators demanding answers and immediate action to address safety concerns.

Official Response: “No Major Safety Concerns”

Despite the mounting incidents, DGCA officials have sought to reassure the public. In a statement, regulators insisted there were “no major safety concerns” with Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet. But for many, these words ring hollow.

Aviation expert Captain Rajiv Bhatia commented, “It’s not enough to say there are no safety concerns. The pattern of technical issues and cancellations is deeply worrying. Passengers need transparency and accountability.”

Passengers Speak Out: Fear and Frustration

The barrage of emergencies and cancellations has left passengers angry and afraid. Social media is awash with stories of disrupted journeys, lost luggage, and harrowing experiences aboard malfunctioning aircraft.

“I booked Air India because I trusted the national carrier,” said Anjali Gupta, whose flight to Paris was cancelled without notice. “Now I’m stuck, out of pocket, and scared to fly. Who will answer for this?”

Others, like IT professional Sameer Khan, voiced their frustration at the lack of communication. “We were left in the dark. No updates, no apologies—just chaos. Is this how India treats its citizens?”

The Human Toll: Dreams Deferred, Lives Disrupted

Beyond the statistics and headlines, the human cost of these incidents is immense. Weddings, funerals, business deals, and family reunions have been derailed. Elderly passengers, children, and people with medical needs have suffered the most, stranded in unfamiliar cities with little support.

“I missed my daughter’s graduation in London,” lamented Suresh Patel, his voice breaking. “We saved for years to make this trip. Now all I have is regret.”

Air India’s Response: Damage Control

Facing a public relations disaster, Air India has scrambled to contain the fallout. The airline has offered full refunds to affected passengers and promised to cover hotel expenses for those stranded overnight. In some cases, alternative flights have been arranged.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our valued passengers,” read a company statement. “Safety is our top priority, and we are working tirelessly to resolve these issues.”

But for many, these gestures are too little, too late.

The Broader Crisis: India’s Aviation Sector Under Strain

The Air India saga is symptomatic of deeper problems plaguing India’s aviation industry. Chronic underfunding, aging fleets, and a shortage of skilled maintenance personnel have left airlines vulnerable to technical failures and operational breakdowns.

Industry analyst Neha Sharma warned, “Unless urgent reforms are implemented, we will see more incidents like this. The safety of millions depends on it.”

Looking Ahead: Can Air India Regain Trust?

As investigations continue and passengers demand answers, the future of Air India hangs in the balance. The airline, once a symbol of national pride, now faces an existential crisis.

Will the government step in to overhaul safety protocols? Can Air India restore public confidence before another disaster strikes?

For now, the skies over India remain clouded with uncertainty—and for the thousands affected by these recent incidents, the scars will take a long time to heal.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call

The harrowing experiences of Air India’s passengers serve as a stark reminder: in the race for growth and profit, safety must never be compromised. The lives of ordinary Indians—mothers, fathers, children—depend on it.

As the nation watches and waits, one question echoes across the land: How many more warnings will it take before real change takes flight?

If you or your loved ones have been affected by recent Air India incidents, share your story with us. Your voice matters, and together, we can demand a safer future for Indian aviation.