Air India’s New York-bound A350 flight had departed from Delhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday (January 15, 2026), but due to the sudden closure of Iran’s airspace, it had to return to Delhi shortly after. According to Air India, after a safe landing, when the plane was taxiing on the runway in dense fog, a ground container came near its right engine and collided.
After this incident, the aircraft was immediately taken to the designated parking stand. An Air India spokesperson said, ‘This is a case of collision with a foreign object, for which a thorough technical investigation is being conducted. The right engine of the plane has been damaged. As a precaution, the aircraft is currently grounded so that necessary inspection and repairs can be done. Due to this, flights on some A350 routes may be affected.
A video related to this incident is also viral in which the plane can be seen standing on the runway and the ground staff is present around it. Marks of collision near the engine are also visible in the video. The company said, ‘Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers and is actively assisting them in making alternative travel arrangements and refunds as per their convenience. Safety is a top priority for Air India and the airline is committed to providing assistance at this time.
The company said that Iran had closed its airspace, due to which the plane had to land back in Delhi. The aircraft is currently grounded for thorough investigation and necessary repairs. Iran reopened its airspace after it remained closed for about five hours due to fears of possible military action between the US and Iran.
Read this also:
