Air India Hong Kong-Delhi flight returns mid-air after pilot suspects technical snag

An Air India flight AI315 going from Hong Kong to Delhi had to turn back mid-air on June 16, 2025, after the pilot noticed a technical problem. The flight was being operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which is one of Air India’s most advanced aircraft for international travel.

The plane took off from Hong Kong at 12:16 pm local time and was expected to land in Delhi at 12:20 pm IST. But shortly after takeoff, the pilot suspected a snag and made the decision to return to the Hong Kong airport for safety reasons.

Following standard safety protocols, the pilot safely brought the plane back. All passengers got off the aircraft safely, and no one was hurt during the process. The aircraft is now undergoing detailed inspection, and engineers are checking all systems to understand what went wrong.

An Air India spokesperson shared an official statement:
“Flight AI315 from Hong Kong to Delhi returned shortly after takeoff on June 16 due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely in Hong Kong. This was done as a precautionary measure to ensure safety. We are arranging alternate travel options to take the passengers to Delhi as soon as possible. We are also giving on-ground support to passengers to reduce any inconvenience.”

The airline has promised to take care of all passengers, offering help at the airport, and working quickly to arrange another flight to Delhi.

This incident came just four days after a tragic Air India crash involving another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight AI171, which crashed on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad. That crash led to the deaths of 270 people, including all 241 passengers and crew onboard and 29 people on the ground. The plane was going from Ahmedabad to London and crashed into a medical college building just minutes after taking off.

Plane under inspection

The Dreamliner that returned to Hong Kong is now being checked by technical experts. The issue was not serious enough to affect the flight’s ability to land, but as a safety-first approach, the pilot decided not to take any chances. Engineers are working to determine what went wrong and ensure that the aircraft is safe before it flies again.

Air India stressed that safety is its top priority, and any signs of mechanical or technical trouble are handled with great care. The airline also thanked the passengers for remaining calm during the disruption.

Flight AI315 is operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a modern long-haul aircraft known for fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and long flying range. This aircraft is commonly used for international routes, especially those that are longer than 6–7 hours. The 787-8 is designed to travel up to 8,500 nautical miles in one journey and includes features to reduce jet lag, noise, and turbulence for passengers.

The aircraft structure is made of nearly 50% composite materials, which makes it lighter and more fuel-efficient than older models. It has two engines, 18 seats in Business Class, and 238 seats in Economy Class in Air India’s usual setup. The cabin is designed to offer better air pressure and humidity levels, making long flights more comfortable.

Despite its modern features and advanced technology, technical problems can still happen. That’s why regular maintenance and in-flight monitoring are so important. Thankfully, in the case of AI315, the crew acted in time and ensured a safe landing without any harm to passengers.

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Ahmedabad crash update

The return of the AI315 flight has created fresh concern because it happened just days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171. That flight, also operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad and was heading to London when it crashed minutes after takeoff.

The flight lost radar contact at just 625 feet, which is very low for a plane that has just taken off. It crashed into a building on a medical college campus in the Meghaninagar area, causing major destruction and killing 297 people in total. This included 241 people onboard, 29 on the ground, and 27 others who were later confirmed dead due to injuries.

Among the dead was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was reportedly one of the passengers. His presence on the flight shocked the nation and led to messages of condolence from political leaders and citizens across the country.

As of Sunday, rescue workers were able to recover the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which is part of the aircraft’s black box. This device stores all the sound recordings from the cockpit and will help investigators understand what happened in the final minutes of the flight. Experts hope that the CVR and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) will give them clues about why the plane crashed.

A full investigation is ongoing, and officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other agencies are working closely with international aviation bodies. The goal is to find out whether there was a mechanical failure, pilot error, or other issue that led to the disaster.

In light of the crash, Air India is being very cautious. Every technical alert is being treated with maximum seriousness, and flight safety measures are being reviewed to prevent another tragedy. That’s why, when the technical snag was reported on flight AI315, the pilot did not risk continuing the journey and made a safe decision to return.

Passengers, while slightly inconvenienced by the delay, have appreciated the airline’s decision to prioritize safety. Most of them have said that they feel relieved that the airline is being cautious, especially after the recent crash.

The safe return of flight AI315 is a reminder of how important it is to follow safety protocols in aviation. While the situation caused some disruption, it prevented what could have been a far worse outcome. Meanwhile, the nation continues to mourn the victims of the Ahmedabad crash and hopes for a thorough investigation and justice for the families affected.

Air India has promised to maintain high safety standards and ensure that its Boeing 787 fleet is closely monitored. As air travel continues to rise, passenger trust and safety remain at the heart of every operation.