New Delhi, Jan 15, 2026:
An Air India Airbus A350 aircraft operating a long-haul flight from New Delhi to New York (JFK) suffered engine damage after ingesting a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport on Thursday, aviation authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred after the aircraft had safely landed back in Delhi following a mid-air return caused by the closure of Iranian airspace amid regional unrest.
DGCA Confirms Ground Incident After Safe Landing
In an official statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft, registered as VT-JRB, was operating Flight AI101 when it was forced to return to Delhi.
“On 15.01.2026, Air India A350 aircraft VT-JRB operating flight AI101 (Delhi–New York JFK) was involved in an air turnback due to Iranian airspace closure. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 28,” the DGCA said.
According to the regulator, the damage occurred during taxiing to the apron, not during flight operations.
“During taxi to apron at taxiway N/N4 junction, the No. 2 engine ingested a cargo container, causing damage to the engine,” the statement added.
After debris removal, the aircraft was parked at Stand 244, and a detailed investigation has been initiated by the DGCA’s Northern Region office (DAS-NR).
Air India Statement: Safety Never Compromised
Air India confirmed that the incident happened on the ground and clarified that the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog conditions. The airline said the right engine was affected.
“All standard operating procedures were followed, and passenger and crew safety was never compromised,” Air India said in its statement.
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Aircraft Grounded, Investigation Underway
The airline has grounded the aircraft pending a comprehensive technical inspection. Engineering teams have begun a detailed assessment to determine the exact cause and extent of the damage.
“The safety and integrity of the aircraft will be prioritised before any future operations,” Air India officials stated.
A video circulating on social media reportedly shows visible damage to the engine, with claims that it ingested a cargo container during taxiing. Authorities are verifying all evidence as part of the investigation.
Operational Impact Likely Due to Limited A350 Fleet
The incident could have operational implications for Air India, which currently operates a limited fleet of six Airbus A350 aircraft. These wide-body jets are deployed on high-demand long-haul routes, including services to New York, Newark, and London.
With one aircraft temporarily out of service, Air India has warned passengers of possible schedule disruptions or cancellations on its A350 routes.
Background: AI101 Air Turnback
Flight AI101 had originally departed from Delhi for New York before being forced to return due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, which affected multiple international flights in the region at the time.
All safety protocols were followed throughout the journey, and the aircraft landed without incident before the ground-handling mishap occurred.
