News

View from the Wing • Gary Leff

Air India dispatch error forces 14‑hour 'flight to nowhere' after leased 777‑200LR sent to Vancouver

Air India dispatched a leased, ex‑Delta Boeing 777‑200LR instead of the intended 777‑300ER on a Delhi–Vancouver service, leaving the aircraft without required emergency-oxygen configuration/Canadian clearance for the terrain‑critical routing. Flight AI185 returned to Delhi mid‑flight after nine hours airborne, burning fuel and stranding passengers.

2026-03-20T09:12:20.165275-07:00

Reuters

Indian carriers warn December fare caps, fuel surge and Gulf detours could force route cuts and delay fleet expansion

2026-03-20T05:09:48.501579-07:00

ch-aviation

EU watchdog flags alleged Air India safety lapses, warns audits or EU restrictions

2026-03-18T21:44:21.751611-07:00

indiatoday.in

Air India completes revival of 30 long‑grounded jets, returns six‑year‑grounded B777‑300ER to service

2026-03-17T23:05:29.186923-07:00

News Timeline

View from the Wing

❗️

Air India dispatch error forces 14‑hour 'flight to nowhere' after leased 777‑200LR sent to Vancouver Air India dispatched a leased, ex‑Delta Boeing 777‑200LR instead of the intended 777‑300ER on a Delhi–Vancouver service, leaving the aircraft without required emergency-oxygen configuration/Canadian clearance for the terrain‑critical routing. Flight AI185 returned to Delhi mid‑flight after nine hours airborne, burning fuel and stranding passengers.

2026-03-20T09:12:20.165275-07:00

Air India dispatch error forces 14‑hour 'flight to nowhere' after leased 777‑200LR sent to Vancouver

Reuters

❗️

Indian carriers warn December fare caps, fuel surge and Gulf detours could force route cuts and delay fleet expansion Indian carriers including IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have urged the government to lift fare caps imposed in December, saying surging jet fuel and longer West‑Asia detours via Oman and western Saudi Arabia are eroding margins and could force route cuts and delay fleet and network expansion.

2026-03-20T05:09:48.501579-07:00

Indian carriers warn December fare caps, fuel surge and Gulf detours could force route cuts and delay fleet expansion

ch-aviation

❗️

EU watchdog flags alleged Air India safety lapses, warns audits or EU restrictions The EU aviation watchdog has flagged alleged safety lapses at Air India, raising the prospect of formal audits and potential restrictions on the carrier’s operations in Europe. The move signals an escalation of regulatory scrutiny that could lead to inspections or operational constraints.

2026-03-18T21:44:21.751611-07:00

EU watchdog flags alleged Air India safety lapses, warns audits or EU restrictions

indiatoday.in

Air India completes revival of 30 long‑grounded jets, returns six‑year‑grounded B777‑300ER to service Air India has returned the final of 30 long‑grounded aircraft to service, completing a restoration campaign that included a six‑year‑grounded Boeing 777‑300ER (VT‑ALL) which rejoined commercial operations in March 2026 after extensive work by Air India Engineering Services. The programme follows the carrier's post‑privatisation fleet‑rebuild commitments.

2026-03-17T23:05:29.186923-07:00

Air India completes revival of 30 long‑grounded jets, returns six‑year‑grounded B777‑300ER to service

Times of India

❗️

Air India A350 diverted to Shannon after severe floorboard vibrations and unexplained belly‑section noise An Air India Airbus A350 on the New York–New Delhi sector diverted to Shannon after passengers and crew reported severe floorboard vibrations and an unexplained belly‑section noise while cruising at about 33,000 ft. The crew elected to land in Ireland for inspection; no injuries were reported in initial accounts.

2026-03-16T09:53:52.414088-07:00

Air India A350 diverted to Shannon after severe floorboard vibrations and unexplained belly‑section noise

Skift

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme Air India has launched an internal probe after finding that more than 4,000 employees abused its staff travel Employee Leisure Travel scheme, prompting a review of controls and processes. The investigation is examining suspected misuse of discounted leisure travel privileges and potential breaches of company policy.

2026-03-16T05:55:02.697880-07:00

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme

FlightGlobal

❗️

Gulf airspace closures drive transit traffic through Kazakhstan as carriers cancel and reroute services Gulf airspace suspensions linked to the Iran conflict have prompted widespread cancellations and longer routings, forcing rapid network adjustments. Air Astana reports a surge in point‑to‑point and transit passengers after reallocating Gulf flying to Asian routes, while Etihad and other carriers operate limited, safety‑assessed schedules.

2026-03-13T03:28:37.426295-07:00

Gulf airspace closures drive transit traffic through Kazakhstan as carriers cancel and reroute services

Skift

❗️

Airlines add fuel surcharges as jet fuel spikes after Iran tensions; some carriers hold off Several carriers are introducing fuel surcharges as crude and Jet A‑1 prices rise amid tensions with Iran. Aerolíneas Argentinas added $10–$50 surcharges (domestic: 7,500 ARS per leg); Air India will apply fees from March 12 (Rs 399 domestic); Brussels Airlines says it will hold off for now.

2026-03-11T06:18:17.868343-07:00

Airlines add fuel surcharges as jet fuel spikes after Iran tensions; some carriers hold off

Menu

Air India News

Air India dispatch error forces 14‑hour 'flight to nowhere' after leased 777‑200LR sent to Vancouver

Indian carriers warn December fare caps, fuel surge and Gulf detours could force route cuts and delay fleet expansion

EU watchdog flags alleged Air India safety lapses, warns audits or EU restrictions

Air India completes revival of 30 long‑grounded jets, returns six‑year‑grounded B777‑300ER to service

News Timeline