Air India has grounded one of its Airbus A350 jets after the aircraft sustained engine damage while taxiing in dense fog. The airline warned passengers that this could disrupt flights on select A350 routes. The incident occurred at New Delhi airport on Thursday, affecting a plane that was scheduled to fly to New York.
Officials said the damage happened when the aircraft encountered a foreign object. Air India operates six A350s on long-haul routes, including London, New York, and Newark. The airline confirmed it will investigate the issue thoroughly and carry out necessary repairs before resuming service.
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The affected flight had returned to New Delhi after being rerouted due to a temporary closure of Iran’s airspace. Iran had closed the airspace for nearly five hours amid concerns over possible military activity. Airlines faced cancellations, reroutes, and delays during the closure, which has since ended.
Air India did not specify which routes would be disrupted or the exact nature of the foreign object. Passengers are advised to check with the airline for updates on schedule changes. Airline officials emphasized that safety remains their top priority and operations will resume after inspections.
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The grounding highlights the vulnerability of long-haul flight schedules to unexpected incidents and weather conditions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly and stay informed of Air India announcements.