Air India reduces international flights as Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad airports see multiple technical snags

Indian air services are experiencing a worrying surge in technical faults across various airlines, leading to widespread disruptions and cancellations. This comes on the heels of the recent Ahmedabad plane crash, intensifying concerns over passenger safety and the reliability of the civil aviation sector. On Thursday alone, several incidents were reported, prompting airlines to take urgent measures.

At Kolkata airport, two flights faced technical snags in the morning. An IndiGo flight to Silchar, carrying 155 passengers, reported a mechanical fault while moving from the taxiway to the runway and had to return to the parking bay for rectification. Similarly, an IndiGo flight (6E 6068) bound for Agartala experienced a technical issue on the runway and returned to the bay with ATC permission before eventually departing. Another IndiGo flight (6E-6101) from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata aborted takeoff due to a bird strike on the runway, bringing the aircraft to an immediate halt using emergency brakes.

Further incidents on Thursday included an IndiGo flight (6E 2006) from Delhi to Leh making an emergency landing back at Delhi airport due to a sudden technical fault, though all 180 passengers and crew were safe. A SpiceJet flight from Hyderabad to Tirupati also experienced a technical fault approximately ten minutes after takeoff, necessitating an immediate return to Hyderabad, with all 80 passengers reported safe.

In response to these continuous technical glitches, Air India has announced a significant decision to reduce its international flights by 15% from June 20 to mid-July. Officials stated that this measure prioritizes aircraft maintenance and safety. The recurring mechanical failures have cast a shadow over the credibility of the civil aviation sector, leading to anxiety among passengers. Experts are urging airlines to focus seriously on maintenance and quality control to prevent further escalation of this crisis.