• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

An Air India aircraft flying from Hong Kong to Delhi took an emergency U-turn soon after takeoff on Monday, June 16, following a suspected technical problem in the air. The flight AI315, which is operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, came back to Hong Kong International Airport safely after the pilot chose not to fly further as a precautionary step. As per audio posted on aviation tracking website LiveATC.net, the pilot of AI315 told the air traffic control (ATC) that, “For technical reasons, sir, we would like to stay closer to Hong Kong. Maybe we will come back to Hong Kong and sort out the problem… We don’t want to continue further.” The plane had departed from Hong Kong around 12:20 PM local time and had ascended to a height of 22,000 feet before turning back and returning safely by 1:15 PM.

Air India issued a statement that the aircraft returned safely, citing a "technical issue" and that the plane was turned back "as a matter of abundant precaution." "AI315 flying from Hong Kong to Delhi on 16 June 2025 had to turn back after taking off because of a technical problem. The flight landed safely, and the plane is being examined in detail technically," the airline authority stated. The airline also ensured all passengers were safe and disembarked without harm. Ground crew inHong Kong assisted, while alternate arrangements were in the process of taking passengers to Delhi. Hong Kong–Delhi flight had been actually scheduled to depart at 8:50 AM but departed around 12:16 PM local time after being delayed by almost three and a half hours. The airline again insisted on least inconvenience despite this, "We are making all the ground arrangements available to the passengers to reduce the inconvenience caused by this unexpected disruption," Air India stated.

ALSO READ: Delhi-Bound Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Flight Returns To Hong Kong After Mid-Air Technical Snag

Incident Follows Deadly Ahmedabad Crash

The mid-air turn comes just four days after a tragic crash involving another Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The previous accident happened on June 12, when a flight going to London from Ahmedabad crashed into a doctors' hostel just minutes after taking off. The horrific crash killed 274 people, including 241 passengers, which is India's worst aviation disaster ever.

ALSO READ: Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight From San Francisco Suffers Technical Snag, Passengers Deplaned In Kolkata

Following the Ahmedabad crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) initiated a thorough investigation. A high-level committee has been constituted to explore potential technical, procedural, and human aspects that went wrong during the crash.