Air India Dreamliner Returns to Hong Kong Mid-Flight Amid Safety Precautions Days After Deadly Crash in Ahmedabad
In a development that has reignited focus on aviation safety, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI 315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi was forced to return to its origin shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 16, due to a suspected technical issue.
The incident occurred just four days after another Air India Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, killing over 270 people, prompting heightened public and regulatory scrutiny of the airline’s fleet and operations.
According to a statement issued by Air India, the Delhi-bound aircraft took off from Hong Kong at 12:16 pm local time, significantly delayed from its originally scheduled departure of 8:50 am.
Less than an hour into the flight, the pilot-in-command detected a technical anomaly and opted to return to Hong Kong as a matter of precaution. The aircraft landed safely around 1:15 pm, and all passengers were safely deplaned.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority,” Air India said in its statement. “Flight AI315 operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on June 16, 2025, returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue.
The flight landed safely and is now undergoing thorough checks. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination at the earliest.”
The airline also confirmed that all necessary assistance was being provided on the ground to minimize inconvenience to travelers affected by the disruption.
Officials from the Airport Authority of Hong Kong also confirmed the unscheduled return, stating, “A passenger flight, AI315, operated by Air India from Hong Kong to New Delhi made a return to Hong Kong International Airport and requested local standby around 1:00 pm.
The flight landed safely, and there was no impact on overall airport operations.” A ‘local standby” refers to a standard emergency protocol where fire and rescue teams are kept on alert in case of a rough or hazardous landing.
This incident has assumed added significance as it comes in the immediate aftermath of the June 12 tragedy involving another Air India-operated Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner, which crashed into the B J Medical College complex in Ahmedabad less than a minute after takeoff.
That catastrophic crash claimed the lives of all 242 people on board and at least 30 individuals on the ground, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
While there were no casualties or injuries reported in Monday’s mid-air return, the episode underscores rising concerns about the operational reliability and maintenance protocols surrounding the Boeing 787 8 fleet operated by Air India.
Aviation safety experts and government agencies are expected to examine whether recurring technical issues suggest deeper systemic flaws in either aircraft maintenance or airline oversight.
With passenger confidence shaken by the recent crash, Air India’s latest incident, though managed safely, could intensify demands for comprehensive safety audits and greater transparency from both the airline and aviation regulators.
