Air India Mumbai to Chennai Flight with A321 Makes U-Turn

MUMBAI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) flight operating from Mumbai (BOM) to Chennai (MAA) was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a burning smell reported in the cabin. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI639, landed safely back at Mumbai Airport (BOM) on Friday night.

Passengers were promptly assisted by ground staff, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to continue the journey. The airline confirmed that all safety protocols were followed, and no injuries were reported.

Photo: FlightRadar24

Air India Flight Returns to Mumbai

Flight AI639, a domestic service by Air India (AI), took off from Mumbai (BOM) at approximately 11:50 PM IST en route to Chennai (MAA).

Around 45 minutes into the flight, crew members detected a burning smell in the cabin. As a precautionary measure, the captain decided to return to the departure airport. The aircraft safely touched down in Mumbai at approximately 12:47 AM.

Air India issued a statement confirming the safe return and explained that an aircraft change was initiated immediately. The airline’s Mumbai-based ground team ensured all passengers received the necessary support and care to minimize inconvenience.

The flight was operated by Airbus A321, registered as VT-PPW. It is a 15.5-year-old aircraft powered by two CFM56-5B engines.

Photo: Sandeep Pilania | atc spotter

Separate Incident Involving Unruly Passenger on AI454

On the same day, Air India (AI) also dealt with an unruly passenger on Flight AI454 from Amritsar (ATQ) to Delhi (DEL).

During descent, the cabin crew observed a verbal altercation involving a passenger in the aisle. According to a statement from the airline, the disruptive individual was reported to be abusive.

The crew promptly de-escalated the situation by relocating the affected passenger to a different seat. Upon landing, the captain informed ground security at Delhi Airport (DEL). The unruly passenger was handed over to authorities for further investigation.

Air India reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive in-flight behavior. The airline emphasized that crew safety and passenger well-being remain top priorities.

In line with DGCA regulations, any incident involving passenger misconduct must be evaluated by an internal committee, which can recommend placing the offender on a no-fly list.

India’s aviation sector has seen multiple incidents of unruly behavior in recent years. A high-profile case in 2022 involving a New York–Delhi flight drew regulatory penalties when a business class passenger engaged in indecent conduct.

The airline faced criticism for delays in reporting the incident and was fined ₹30 lakh by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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