Air India Dreamliner Returns to Hong Kong Mid-Flight After Suspected Technical Glitch
GG News Bureau
Hong Kong/Delhi, 16th June: An Air India flight bound for Delhi from Hong Kong was forced to return mid-air on Monday morning after the pilot detected a suspected technical issue, sources told news agency ANI.
Flight AI315, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Hong Kong as scheduled and was en route to New Delhi when the potential malfunction was discovered. Following established aviation safety protocols, the pilot made the decision to abort the journey and return to the point of origin.
The aircraft landed safely back in Hong Kong, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew members. All individuals on board were evacuated safely upon landing.
Nature of the Fault Yet to Be Confirmed
Details surrounding the nature of the suspected technical fault have not yet been officially disclosed by airline authorities. Air India has not released a public statement regarding the incident or the rescheduling plans for Flight AI315.
A spokesperson for Hong Kong International Airport confirmed the safe return of the aircraft and stated that all standard emergency procedures were followed efficiently.
Safety Concerns Intensify After Recent Crash
The incident comes just days after a devastating crash involving the same aircraft model. A separate Air India-operated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The tragic accident claimed 279 lives, including all 241 individuals on board and 29 others on the ground. Among the victims were five medical students who were present on a college campus struck by the aircraft’s wreckage.
The aircraft reportedly lost altitude minutes after takeoff, crashing into a medical college campus in the Meghaninagar area and bursting into flames. On board were 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten cabin crew members. Only one person—a British national of Indian origin—miraculously survived and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
The crash triggered a large-scale investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing technical teams, and international aviation safety experts. Preliminary reports suggest a possible systems failure, though official findings are awaited.
Passenger Safety Under Scrutiny
Monday’s mid-air turnaround has reignited public and regulatory scrutiny over the safety of Air India’s Dreamliner fleet. Aviation safety experts have emphasized the importance of proactive pilot decisions and strict adherence to maintenance standards, particularly in the wake of a recent tragedy involving the same aircraft type.
While it remains unclear if the technical glitch on Flight AI315 is in any way related to the issues that caused the earlier crash, the proximity of both incidents involving the Boeing 787-8 has raised concerns among travelers and aviation analysts alike.
Passengers of Flight AI315 are expected to be accommodated on alternate flights once safety inspections and maintenance reviews are completed.
Authorities have assured that a full inquiry will be conducted and updates will be shared with the public as information becomes available.
