An Air India flight (AI2403) from Delhi to Kolkata had a narrow escape on Monday evening after pilots aborted take-off due to a technical snag while the aircraft was already speeding down the runway at 155 km/h.
The flight was scheduled to depart at 5:30 PM on July 21, 2025, from Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to Air India, the cockpit crew followed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and made the decision to halt take-off mid-roll after detecting the issue.
“All passengers have safely disembarked, and ground teams are providing support. The inconvenience is deeply regretted, but safety remains our top priority,” the airline said in a statement. The flight has since been rescheduled for later in the evening.
✈️ Another Incident Same Day in Mumbai
This was the second safety scare involving Air India on the same day. Earlier, a flight arriving in Mumbai from Kochi veered off the rain-soaked runway while landing. All passengers were safe, but grass was found stuck to the rear of the aircraft, and one engine showed visible signs of damage. Runway lights and signage were also broken during the incident.
Government sources confirmed the aircraft made a runway excursion, with one wheel moving into a grassy patch beside the tarmac. The aircraft has been grounded for checks, and both pilots have been derostered pending an inquiry.
🛑 Safety Under Scrutiny
The incidents come amid increased attention to Air India’s safety performance. Responding to MPs in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol revealed that nine show-cause notices have been issued to Air India in connection with five safety violations over the past six months.
Although no adverse crash trend has been officially recorded, enforcement action has been completed in one of the cases, the Minister confirmed.
💔 Reminder of the Ahmedabad-London Tragedy
The new incidents follow last month’s tragic AI171 crash from Ahmedabad to London, which claimed 260 lives, leaving only one survivor. The aircraft crashed into a building near a hospital shortly after takeoff, making it one of the deadliest crashes in recent aviation history.
🔍 Increased Inspections Ahead
In the wake of these events, aviation authorities are intensifying checks across Air India’s fleet. While passengers were safe in both July 21 incidents, the sequence of events raises renewed concerns over operational safety, pilot fatigue, and aircraft maintenance protocols.
