Air India Flight to U.S. Grounded in Vienna After Safety Check
An Air India flight from Delhi to Washington, D.C. was grounded in Vienna on July 3 after routine safety checks during a scheduled fuel stop flagged a maintenance issue. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI103, was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
According to an Air India spokesperson, the aircraft landed in Vienna for refueling as planned, but inspection procedures revealed an issue requiring extended maintenance. As a result, the flight to Washington was canceled.
Passengers with valid Schengen visas or visa-free entry were provided hotel accommodations, while arrangements for those without entry permissions were made in coordination with Austrian immigration and security authorities. The return leg, Flight AI104 from Washington to Delhi, was also canceled, with affected passengers rebooked or offered full refunds.
The disruption comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny following the recent crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which killed over 270 people. In response, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), mandated enhanced inspections for all Dreamliner aircraft before departure and during transit.
Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express, operate over 1,100 daily flights and transport more than 150,000 passengers. The airline has ramped up safety audits focusing on GenX engine-equipped Dreamliners, inspecting critical systems like fuel monitors, cabin air compressors, and engine controls.
The airline warned passengers to expect delays on long-haul routes due to longer turnaround times. Customers are advised to check flight status in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=air+india, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, indiatoday.in