Post by : Meena Ariff

India’s aviation authorities are investigating after an Air India Airbus A350 suffered engine damage when a cargo container was sucked in while taxiing at Delhi airport.

The New York-bound flight had returned to Delhi shortly after take-off due to Iran temporarily closing its airspace. After landing safely, the aircraft was taxiing toward the parking bay with around 240 passengers onboard when the right engine ingested the container amid dense fog.

Authorities said the container accidentally fell from a ground vehicle onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator, who was moving luggage and cargo, had noticed the plane and left with the remaining cargo, leaving the fallen container behind.

Aviation regulators reported that debris was cleared from the taxiway, and the damaged aircraft was towed to a designated stand. Photos released by authorities show visible damage to the engine casing and fan blades.

The incident has raised concerns about ground safety at India’s airports. Last year, audits highlighted safety lapses including faded runway markings, crew fatigue, inadequate maintenance, and unauthorised cockpit access.

Air India confirmed the affected A350 is grounded for repairs and warned that certain long-haul routes, including those to New York and London, could face disruptions. The airline operates six A350 aircraft on major international routes.

#Global News