Aircraft returns after Iranian airspace closure, ingests foreign object while taxiing
January 15, 2026: According to the airline, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog conditions, leading to visible damage to the right engine. The plane was safely moved to a designated parking bay, and videos shared on social media showed the aircraft surrounded by ground staff on the tarmac. Air India stated that the aircraft has been grounded for detailed inspection and repairs, warning that the incident may cause disruptions on select A350 routes.
The episode comes close on the heels of another engine-related issue involving Air India. On December 22, a Delhi–Mumbai flight was forced to return after the crew noticed low engine oil pressure shortly after take-off. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later confirmed that the engine was shut down as per procedure and the aircraft landed safely. That Boeing 777 was carrying around 355 passengers at the time.
A New York-bound Air India flight suffered damage to its right engine on Thursday after ingesting a foreign object while taxiing at Delhi airport. Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to turn back shortly after take-off due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, which disrupted its planned route. An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the incident occurred after the aircraft landed back in Delhi, though all passengers and crew remained safe.
According to the airline, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog conditions, leading to visible damage to the right engine. The plane was safely moved to a designated parking bay, and videos shared on social media showed the aircraft surrounded by ground staff on the tarmac. Air India stated that the aircraft has been grounded for detailed inspection and repairs, warning that the incident may cause disruptions on select A350 routes.
The episode comes close on the heels of another engine-related issue involving Air India. On December 22, a Delhi–Mumbai flight was forced to return after the crew noticed low engine oil pressure shortly after take-off. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later confirmed that the engine was shut down as per procedure and the aircraft landed safely. That Boeing 777 was carrying around 355 passengers at the time.