In a statement, Air India said the plane encountered a foreign object during taxiing, resulting in damage to the right engine.
An Air India aircraft suffered damage to one of its engines after it sucked in a baggage container while taxiing at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred amid dense fog, the airline confirmed.
The aircraft, an Airbus A350 operating Flight AI101 from Delhi to New York (JFK), had earlier returned to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, which affected its planned route. The engine damage happened after the aircraft landed back in Delhi and was taxiing towards the parking bay.
In a statement, Air India said the plane encountered a foreign object during taxiing, resulting in damage to the right engine. The aircraft was safely brought to a designated parking area, and all passengers and crew were unharmed.
Following the incident, the aircraft has been grounded for detailed inspection and necessary repairs. Air India has warned that the grounding may lead to disruptions on some A350 routes.
The airline said it is assisting affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements or refunds, as per their preference. “Safety remains our top priority, and we regret the inconvenience caused,” Air India said.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation to determine how the baggage container came in contact with the aircraft engine.
