Air India’s Delhi-New York flight had to return due to closure of Iran’s airspace, then a baggage container entered the engine while taxiing in Delhi.
Air India flight AI101 (Airbus A350) going from Delhi to New York (JFK) had to return to Delhi shortly after take off. The reason was Iran’s sudden closure of its airspace. After returning and landing safely, an unsecured baggage/cargo container went into the aircraft’s right engine while taxiing in dense fog, causing engine damage and the aircraft being grounded for inspection and repair.
What happened: U-turn after flight and then accident on ground
According to Gulf News report, flight AI101 had departed from Delhi for New York and had more than 250 passengers. During the flight, Iran closed its airspace, making it impossible to proceed further on this route. In such a situation, the crew decided to divert the plane back to Delhi as a precaution. After the aircraft returned to Delhi and landed, a ground-handling error while taxiing resulted in damage to the right engine.
Why did the route get disrupted due to closure of Iran’s airspace?
Iran’s airspace is considered an important and generally the most direct corridor for many long-haul flights from India to North America. When this route is suddenly closed, planes have to take long detours and take other routes, which impacts fuel, time and crew duty limits. According to the report, due to this closure, some other flights of Air India were also affected and some flights had to be cancelled.
How did the container enter the engine at Delhi Airport?
The report states that the plane was taxiing towards the parking lot amidst dense fog at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Meanwhile, a baggage/cargo container was not properly secured and went towards the right engine of the aircraft, which was pulled by the engine. This is a phenomenon known as “Foreign Object Damage (FOD)” in aviation parlance, in which the engine sucks in a foreign object instead of clean air.
Condition of passengers and aircraft: safe landing, investigation and repair
Air India has said that the aircraft was safely delivered to the designated parking stand and the safety of passengers and crew was maintained. The aircraft has been grounded following engine damage and will be returned to service only after detailed investigation/repair. According to the airline, affected passengers are being given options such as adjustment to alternative flights or refunds.
What to learn from this incident: Importance of ground safety in fog
According to experts, even minor carelessness at the airside can turn into a major risk when there is low visibility (such as dense fog). The engine’s suction is very strong during taxiing, so any loose equipment, trolley or container could prove dangerous. The case has once again drawn attention to airport ground-handling and procedures such as secure tying/locking of equipment. According to the report, the process of investigation into the case has also started.
Last Updated: 16 January 2026
