From Dreamliner to Nightmare: The Alarming Surge in Air India Flight incidents

August 6, 2025

New Delhi: Imagine settling into your seat on a long flight from San Francisco to Mumbai, only to spot cockroaches crawling around.

That’s exactly what happened on Air India’s Flight AI180, sparking panic among passengers and raising fresh questions about the airline’s standards. This unsettling incident, reported on August 4, 2025, is just the latest in a string of issues plaguing Air India, especially after the tragic crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people.

Are these problems new, or have technical and safety issues been ignored for years, only coming to light after the tragic Ahmedabad disaster?

The Recent Incident: A Sign of Deeper Issues?

On Flight AI180, passengers were horrified to find cockroaches in the cabin during a stopover in Kolkata. The crew quickly moved two affected passengers to new seats and conducted a deep cleaning, but the damage was done. Air India issued an apology and promised to investigate, admitting that insects sometimes sneak onto planes during ground operations. However, this wasn’t the first hygiene lapse.

Last September, a passenger on a Delhi-New York flight found a cockroach in their omelette, leading to their child falling ill. These incidents point to ongoing issues with in-flight cleanliness, raising concerns about the airline’s maintenance practices.

The Tragic Ahmedabad Plane Crash

The crash of Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, shocked the nation. Just 32 seconds after takeoff, the plane’s fuel control switches were mysteriously flipped to “cutoff,” starving the engines and causing the aircraft to plummet into a residential area.

The preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) didn’t pinpoint whether this was a technical fault or human error, but it sparked intense scrutiny of Air India’s safety record. Investigators are now examining cockpit recordings and the plane’s black boxes to uncover the truth.

A String of Disruptions Post-Crash

Since the Ahmedabad tragedy, Air India has faced a wave of incidents highlighting persistent technical and operational problems. Here are some notable disruptions:

• Engine Snag on AI180: The same San Francisco-Mumbai flight that had the cockroach issue faced an engine problem during its Kolkata stopover, delaying passengers for hours.
• Mumbai Runway Incident: On July 21, 2025, an Air India plane veered off the runway in Mumbai, raising alarms about maintenance and pilot training.
• Delhi Takeoff Abortion: On the same day, a Delhi-Kolkata flight had to abort takeoff at the last minute due to a technical snag, further eroding passenger trust.
• Hong Kong U-Turn: A Hong Kong-Delhi flight turned back mid-air on June 10, 2025, after the pilot suspected a technical issue, landing safely but causing delays.
• Kochi-Mumbai Mishap: A Kochi-Mumbai flight veered off the runway, damaging an engine cover, adding to the growing list of safety concerns.

Are Technical Issues Being Overlooked?

Air India’s troubles aren’t new. Over the past six months, the airline received 13 safety violation notices from India’s aviation watchdog, the DGCA, for issues like crew scheduling, training lapses, and poor compliance.

After the Ahmedabad crash, 112 pilots called in sick on June 16, 2025, hinting at low morale and possible concerns about flying unsafe aircraft. The DGCA has since ordered enhanced safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, focusing on fuel systems, engines, and flight controls. Yet, critics argue these measures are reactive, not preventive.

The Tata Group’s 2022 takeover promised to transform Air India into a world-class airline, but progress has been slow.

A $400-million fleet upgrade plan is stalled, and incidents like cockpit fuel switch failures and insect infestations suggest deeper systemic issues.

Aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan has pointed out that bird strikes, common at Ahmedabad airport, could also contribute to engine failures, yet little seems to have been done to address this.

The Ahmedabad crash has put Air India under a microscope. The government is pushing for stricter oversight, and regulators have warned of hefty fines or executive removals if safety doesn’t improve. As investigations continue, Air India must act swiftly to fix its technical and operational flaws. Otherwise, the airline risks losing trust for good.