Air India Flags Potential Flight Disruptions After A350 Engine Damage in Delhi Fog

Air India has warned passengers of possible disruptions on routes operated by its Airbus A350 aircraft after one of its long-haul planes sustained engine damage while taxiing at New Delhi airport in dense fog on Thursday. The airline said the aircraft encountered a “foreign object” during taxiing, following its return to Delhi after being forced to turn back from a New York-bound flight due to Iran’s temporary airspace closure.

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), later clarified that the damage was caused by a stray cargo container that toppled from a vehicle and landed on one of the taxiways. The DGCA said further investigation is underway, and photographs shared by the agency showed a visible hole on the inside of the engine’s air intake area.

Air India currently operates six A350 aircraft on key international routes including New Delhi to London, New York, and Newark, alongside older Boeing aircraft serving the same sectors. The airline confirmed the affected aircraft has been grounded for detailed inspection and repairs, which may impact “select A350 routes,” though it did not specify which services may be delayed or cancelled.

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