TV
An Air India Express flight from Kolkata to Ghaziabad (Hindon Airport) on Sunday faced a significant delay after the aircraft initially assigned to the route developed a technical snag. The flight, IX 1511, was scheduled to take off at 7:00 AM from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, but eventually departed at 2:09 PM over seven hours behind schedule.
Passengers on board were offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund, the airline confirmed. “Our Kolkata-Hindon flight operated, with a delay, due to a snag on the originally assigned aircraft,” an Air India Express spokesperson told ANI. “We regret the inconvenience caused.”
Grounded Before Take-Off
According to airline sources, the aircraft had already taxied to the runway and was lined up for take-off when the flight crew detected an anomaly in the system. The exact nature of the fault was not immediately disclosed, but emergency protocol was followed, and ground engineers were called in to assess and rectify the issue.
The aircraft in question, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was replaced or repaired before resuming the journey, eventually landing at Hindon Airport at 4:24 PM instead of the scheduled 9:20 AM.
DGCA Tightens Scrutiny After Tragic Crash
The incident occurred just a day after India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued a directive to Air India, ordering comprehensive one-time maintenance checks on its Boeing fleet. This move comes in the wake of the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI 717, which claimed 241 lives.
In its advisory dated June 13, the DGCA instructed Air India to carry out critical inspections and tests on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft beginning June 15. These include:
The fuel parameter monitoring system checks
Cabin air compressor system inspection
Electronic engine control system tests
Operational tests of engine fuel-driven actuators
Oil and hydraulic system serviceability checks
Pre-departure take-off parameter reviews
Flight Safety in Focus
While Sunday's delay on Flight IX 1511 did not result in any injury or further complications, it highlights the broader safety concerns that have recently emerged in Indian aviation especially surrounding Boeing aircraft. With the DGCA stepping in to enforce tighter oversight, passengers can expect increased vigilance but also possible disruptions as airlines comply with stringent checks.
This renewed focus on airworthiness aims to restore public confidence and ensure that tragedies like the AI 717 crash are not repeated.
