An Air India flight bound for London was forced to abort takeoff at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday after the cockpit crew detected a suspected technical issue. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, returned to the bay for precautionary checks, the airline confirmed.
“Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on July 31, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the takeoff run following standard operating procedures,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement to news agency PTI.
While the exact nature of the technical issue has not been disclosed, the incident adds to a growing list of recent concerns surrounding Boeing aircraft worldwide. The number of passengers on board the flight was not immediately available. Air India has since deployed an alternative aircraft to operate the flight and stated that ground staff were assisting affected passengers to minimise inconvenience.
Broader Concerns Over Boeing Aircraft
The aborted takeoff comes amid renewed global scrutiny of Boeing’s aircraft, particularly its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner series. The American aerospace giant has faced a series of safety-related setbacks this year:
In January 2024, a door plug panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew off mid-flight, leading to an emergency landing. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded dozens of MAX 9 aircraft temporarily and launched investigations into manufacturing and quality control processes at Boeing.
In March 2024, the FAA ordered Boeing to halt further expansion of its 737 production lines until the company addressed widespread quality lapses.
Earlier this month, reports emerged of missing or improperly installed bolts on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, prompting airlines and regulators to reexamine aircraft undergoing maintenance or awaiting delivery.
In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly stepped up routine inspections of Boeing aircraft across multiple carriers, including Air India and Vistara, both of which operate wide-body Boeing jets on international routes. In May, an Air India Express Boeing 737 was involved in a runway excursion at Kerala’s Kozhikode airport, though no injuries were reported.
Mounting Pressure On Boeing
These recurring technical issues have raised serious concerns about Boeing’s production standards and regulatory oversight. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced earlier this year that he would step down by the end of 2024, amid growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers and airline executives demanding accountability and reform within the company.
With Thursday’s incident, 온라인카지노 aviation authorities are likely to take a closer look at the airworthiness of Boeing aircraft operating in the country, especially as international travel continues to recover post-pandemic.
As of now, Air India has not reported any injuries or significant disruptions beyond the delay. The airline, which is undergoing a major fleet expansion and overhaul under Tata Group ownership, has ordered 470 new aircraft — including a large number of Boeing jets.
