This article summarizes reporting by The Hindu and journalist Jagriti Chandra.

Air India A350 Grounded After Engine Ingests Container Following Airspace Closure

In a significant operational setback involving both geopolitical instability and ground safety lapses, an Air India Airbus A350-900 was grounded on January 15, 2026, at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft, operating flight AI101 to New York, was forced to return to Delhi due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace.

According to reporting by The Hindu, the aircraft (registration VT-JRB) sustained damage to its right engine after ingesting a cargo container while taxiing to the parking bay. The flight had landed safely in dense fog following an airturnback, only to encounter the obstruction on the taxiway. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, but the grounding of one of the airline’s flagship aircraft has disrupted key long-haul schedules.

Sequence of Events: From Airturnback to Ground Collision

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning. Flight AI101 departed New Delhi for New York (JFK) but was recalled while traversing Indian and Pakistani airspace. The return was necessitated by a “Notice to Air Missions” (NOTAM) closing Iranian airspace due to heightened regional tensions.

Upon returning to Delhi, the pilots navigated marginal visibility caused by dense winter fog. According to preliminary investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) cited in industry reports, the collision occurred at the Taxiway N/N4 junction. A tug transporting containers for another airline, identified in reports as Bird Worldwide Flight Services, reportedly lost a wheel, causing a Unit Load Device (ULD) to topple onto the active taxiway.

Due to the low visibility conditions, the pilots were unable to detect the debris in time. The aircraft’s number two engine subsequently ingested the container, causing significant damage.

“The aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog.”

, Air India statement

Air India confirmed that all safety protocols were followed during the deplaning process. The airline has warned of potential disruptions to select routes operated by the A350 fleet while the aircraft undergoes necessary repairs.

Operational Impact and Fleet Constraints

This incident represents a “double whammy” for the carrier, combining external geopolitical disruptions with internal ground handling failures. The grounding is particularly impactful given the size of Air India’s modern fleet. As noted by aviation data from FlightGlobal and Aviation A2Z, Air India currently operates a fleet of only six Airbus A350-900s. The removal of one aircraft from service effectively eliminates approximately 17% of the capacity for this specific fleet type.

The A350 is central to Air India’s strategy to revitalize its product offering on lucrative United States routes. Consequently, the grounding has triggered a cascade of scheduling issues:

• Cancellations: Flights such as Delhi–Newark and Mumbai–New York faced cancellations due to the combined impact of the airspace closure and the unavailability of the aircraft.
• Rerouting: Remaining flights to the West are being rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace, resulting in longer flight times and potential payload restrictions.

AirPro News Analysis: Vulnerabilities in Ground Safety

While the closure of Iranian airspace is a geopolitical variable beyond the airline’s control, the ingestion of a cargo container highlights a critical vulnerability in ground operations at major hubs like Delhi. The preliminary findings suggesting a tug failure, specifically a lost wheel, point to potential lapses in Ground Support Equipment (GSE) maintenance.

Furthermore, the inability to detect Foreign Object Debris (FOD) during low-visibility procedures (LVP) raises questions about the efficacy of surface movement radar and ground inspections during fog season. For an airline attempting to position itself as a premium global carrier, losing a flagship asset to a preventable ground incident underscores the need for stricter oversight of third-party ground handling agencies.

Geopolitical Context

The closure of Iranian airspace, which precipitated the return of AI101, stems from volatile internal conditions and fears of military escalation in the region. This corridor is a vital artery for commercial aviation connecting India to Europe and North America. Reports from Gulf News indicate that the closure forced multiple carriers to divert or cancel flights due to fuel range limitations, as alternative routes often require significantly more flight time.

Sources

Sources: The Hindu, The Economic Times, Gulf News, FlightGlobal