An Air India flight traveling from Mumbai to Chennai returned to Mumbai due to a burning smell. According to a passenger on the flight, it departed from Mumbai at 11:50 PM Indian time. After flying for approximately 45 minutes, the pilot announced that they would be returning to Mumbai due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed back in Mumbai at 12:47 AM.
Air India stated in a press release that flight AI 639 decided to return to Mumbai shortly after takeoff on June 27th as a precautionary measure. The statement said that AI 639 landed safely in Mumbai and that another aircraft was arranged to operate the flight again. Air India further stated that a team from the airline was active at Mumbai airport to address any inconveniences faced by passengers. The statement did not include any further details such as the cause of the burning smell.
In recent weeks, various incidents have occurred on Air India aircraft. The most notable incident was on June 12th, when an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to the UK crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of all but one passenger. On June 26th, flight AI 186 from Kolkata to Delhi also returned to the airport shortly after takeoff due to a medical emergency involving a passenger. After providing treatment to the passenger, the flight resumed its journey.
Three days earlier, on June 23rd, another incident occurred on flight AI130 from London to Mumbai. During the flight, five passengers and two crew members began experiencing dizziness and nausea, leading to an emergency landing where medical treatment was provided to the seven affected individuals. The cause of this incident is currently under investigation. On June 22nd, an Air India flight from the UK to New Delhi made an emergency landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a bomb threat. After security checks, authorities determined there was no threat to the aircraft.
Additionally, flight AI2354 from Mumbai to Bangkok was significantly delayed from its scheduled departure time due to an object being detected stuck in its wings. As a result of these incidents, India’s civil aviation regulator, DGCA, has initiated a special operation to review safety measures on Air India aircraft. This operation will involve reviewing various aspects across multiple areas. Initial findings have revealed numerous issues.
Air India continues to maintain that passenger safety and security remain their top priority.
