Bomb threats, technical glitches, airspace closures: Why multiple flights are returning mid‑air after the Air India crash

In the wake of the tragic June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that claimed 241 lives on board and at least 29 on the ground, the aviation industry has witnessed a notable spike in mid‑air flight returns and diversions. These incidents, majorly triggered by technical snags, airspace closures (as a result of the emerging situation in Iran), and even a bomb-threat, underscore heightened safety protocols and travel disruptions.

Following the crash, the DGCA mandated thorough inspections of Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet, as well as Boeing 777 aircraft. 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircrafts are being inspected, 26 out of which have been cleared, with additional checks underway. Air India has also cut international flights on widebody aircraft by 15% until mid-July. These measures have instigated delays making crews more susceptible to pre-emptive technical returns as these are some of the major aviation-related incidents that have occurred since the Flight 171 crash.

Air India flight AI 315 returns to Hong Kong

On June 16, Air India Flight AI 315, a Boeing 787-8 en route from Hong Kong to Delhi, turned back mid‑flight due to a technical issue flagged at 22,000 ft. It safely landed in Hong Kong and is undergoing inspections. This occurred just days after AI 171’s crash, prompting extra caution among crews operating similar aircraft.

Flight AI 379's emergency landing in Phuket after bomb-threat

On June 13, Air India Flight AI 379, an Airbus (Vistara code) flight from Phuket to Delhi, diverted back to Phuket following a bomb threat discovered in a lavatory. The aircraft circled before landing around 9:30 a.m., with 156 passengers safely deplaned as authorities conducted onboard searches.

Flights' U‑turns over Iran

Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East led Iran to close its airspace on June 13. This compelled several long-haul flights to make U‑turns. AI 129, operating on the Mumbai to London route, was forced to return to Mumbai mid-air due to sudden airspace restrictions. Similar disruptions affected other long-haul flights, including those on the Mumbai–New York, Delhi–Washington, Newark–Delhi, and Delhi–Toronto routes, which were either rerouted or turned back. While these diversions weren’t directly linked to the Air India 787 crash, they added to the broader wave of operational chaos.

In the aftermath of the ghastly Air India crash, another Air India pilot reportedly experienced a panic attack at Delhi before a Copenhagen flight, citing crew stress possibly linked to post-crash trauma. The flight returned to the terminal and later departed after crew replacement.

On June 17, an Ahmedabad–London 787 flight was cancelled due to unavailability of the aircraft resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft.

The Air India 787 crash has led to heightened caution across the aviation sector, with even minor technical anomalies prompting immediate flight returns. Prioritizing safety over schedule, both airlines and the DGCA have chosen to delay or abort flights at the slightest sign of irregularity. This cautious approach has been further influenced by psychological ripple effects, as crew stress and passenger anxiety contribute to more diversions and on-ground delays. Adding to the turbulence, Iran’s unexpected airspace closure created additional complications, compounding the disruptions already triggered by crash-related inspections and operational checks.