Air India flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating from Hong Kong to Delhi, was forced to return mid-air after the pilot detected a suspected technical issue, airport sources said on Monday. The aircraft had departed for Delhi when the snag was noticed. Following standard safety protocol, the pilot chose to turn back and the flight landed safely back in Hong Kong, where all passengers disembarked without incident, officials said. The aircraft is currently undergoing a detailed inspection. It had departed from Hong Kong at 12:16 pm local time and was scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 12:20 pm IST.
“AI315 operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 16 June 2025 air-returned to Hong Kong shortly after take off due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely at Hong Kong and is undergoing checks as a matter of abundant precaution. Alternative arrangements have been planned to fly the passengers to their destination Delhi at the earliest. We are providing all necessary on-ground assistance to the passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption," an Air India Spokesperson said.
This comes just days after another Air India Dreamliner, flight AI171, crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 270 people, including all 241 on board. On Sunday, officials confirmed the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the crash site. The black box is expected to provide critical information to help determine the cause of the deadly accident.
Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Air India operates the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a wide-body aircraft primarily used for long-haul international routes. The aircraft features a two-class configuration with 18 seats in Business Class and 238 in Economy, though the airline may modify this layout based on operational requirements.
What makes the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner unique?
The 787-8 is the base model of Boeing’s Dreamliner series, known for its fuel efficiency and design tailored for long-distance travel. Equipped with two engines, the aircraft uses advanced composite materials, accounting for nearly 50% of its structure, to reduce weight and enhance performance. It is the first commercial aircraft built extensively with composite materials. The Dreamliner can fly up to 8,500 nautical miles in a single journey, with features that improve fuel consumption, passenger comfort, and operational range.
Ahmedabad plane crash
On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The London-bound flight had 242 people on board and collided with a building belonging to a medical college moments after takeoff.
Tragically, all but one person on board were killed. The crash also claimed lives of several people inside the building. In total, 297 people lost their lives in the accident. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was reportedly on board the ill-fated flight.