In a sequence of events for Air India Express, another flight encountered a technical issue on Monday morning, marking the fourth such incident for the airline within a span of 36 hours. The flight, operating from Delhi to Ranchi, was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff.
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Technical Malfunction Forces Mid-Air Turnaround
According to airline sources, the aircraft took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and was en route to Ranchi when pilots detected an unspecified technical issue. Exercising caution, the crew decided to return to the origin airport. The flight landed safely in Delhi, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
Passengers were later accommodated on a different flight, and Air India Express issued a statement confirming that standard operating procedures were followed. The nature of the technical snag has not been officially disclosed, but maintenance checks were initiated immediately upon landing.
This incident follows three previous safety-related scares involving Air India Express aircraft over the weekend, including smoke detection in the cabin and hydraulic issues on separate flights. These back-to-back malfunctions have raised concerns among aviation authorities and prompted internal reviews.
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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Initiates Inquiry
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken note of the series of events and is conducting a comprehensive inquiry. All aircraft involved in the recent incidents are undergoing detailed inspections, and crew reports are being reviewed to identify any systemic issues.
A DGCA official stated that while no passengers have been harmed in any of the events, the recurrence of such technical problems in a short time frame is being taken seriously. The regulator has asked the airline to submit detailed reports on each of the occurrences and clarify the maintenance status of the aircraft involved.
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, primarily operates low-cost domestic and international flights. The airline has reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and assured cooperation with ongoing investigations.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.