New Delhi: Air India faced a rare aviation double-whammy on Thursday when one of its aircraft was first forced to return to Delhi due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, and then suffered engine damage after ingesting a foreign object while taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).

The incident involved Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York’s JFK airport. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft encountered an airspace closure over Iran, which disrupted its planned flight path. The crew decided to return to Delhi as a precautionary measure. Upon landing, while taxiing through dense fog, the aircraft’s right engine ingested a container that had ended up on the taxiway, resulting in significant damage.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “Air India confirms that Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, which impacted its planned route. Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine.”

A video, reportedly captured by a passenger onboard the flight, showed the aircraft parked on the tarmac with ground personnel surrounding it and the damaged engine clearly visible. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew were safely positioned to the designated parking stand and no injuries were reported.

The aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection, and necessary repairs to the right engine will be carried out. Air India has stated that this may cause potential disruptions on select A350 routes in the coming days. The airline also reassured passengers that it is proactively assisting with alternative travel arrangements and refunds where necessary, emphasizing that safety remains its highest priority.

This incident comes shortly after another engine-related technical issue involving Air India, highlighting ongoing operational challenges. On December 22, 2025, a Delhi-bound Air India flight to Mumbai had to make an air turn back after the crew detected low engine oil pressure in the right-hand engine shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 777, carrying around 355 passengers, safely returned to Delhi after the crew shut down the affected engine following standard operating procedures.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued a statement regarding the December incident, confirming that during flap retraction after takeoff, the flight crew observed a sudden drop in engine oil pressure on Engine No.2 (right-hand engine), which necessitated an immediate engine shutdown. The aircraft subsequently landed safely without any injury to passengers or crew.

In Thursday’s incident, the additional challenge posed by dense fog at Delhi airport compounded the problem, making taxiing operations particularly risky. The ingestion of a foreign object into a jet engine is a serious safety concern, as it can potentially affect the integrity of engine components and impact future flight safety if not addressed promptly.

While the Iran airspace closure was beyond the airline’s control, it added complexity to the flight operations, forcing pilots to alter the planned route and return safely. This underscores the challenges airlines face with dynamic geopolitical situations affecting international air travel routes.

The Air India spokesperson emphasized that the airline remains committed to ensuring passenger safety and operational continuity. “Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers and is proactively assisting them with alternative travel arrangements and refunds, as preferred. Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India, and the airline is committed to providing support during this time,” the statement added.

Experts note that incidents like these, while rare, underscore the importance of stringent ground safety measures, especially in busy airports with dense fog conditions and active taxiway operations. Ensuring that foreign objects are cleared and controlled on the tarmac is critical to prevent engine ingestion events.

Air India is reportedly conducting a detailed investigation into how the container ended up on the taxiway and how future occurrences can be prevented. The airline is also evaluating its operational procedures for handling unplanned airspace closures to ensure minimal disruption to passengers and aircraft safety.

The Iranian airspace closure itself was unexpected, forcing multiple airlines on the Delhi-New York route to adjust their flight paths. Air India’s decision to return the aircraft to Delhi reflects adherence to standard safety protocols under such circumstances. Combined with the engine damage incident, this marks a challenging day for the airline, requiring coordinated action from both flight operations and ground handling teams.

While no injuries were reported, passengers experienced delays and uncertainty, particularly on international long-haul flights. Air India has committed to rebooking passengers on alternative flights and providing timely updates.

This dual incident serves as a reminder of the multifaceted challenges faced by airlines, including geopolitical disruptions, ground safety hazards, and technical reliability of aircraft systems. With investigations underway, the aviation community will closely monitor the outcomes to ensure lessons are incorporated into operational safety protocols and contingency planning.

As Air India works to repair the damaged engine and manage the ripple effects on its flight schedules, authorities at IGI Airport are expected to review taxiway safety protocols, especially in adverse weather conditions such as dense fog.

The airline has assured that the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew remain the top priority, and all necessary measures are being taken to mitigate operational disruptions caused by this unprecedented chain of events.