Emergency Return of Air India Express Flight Due to Technical Issues

Air India Express Flight Faces Emergency Return

On July 19, an Air India Express flight bound for Phuket had to make an emergency return to Hyderabad just 16 minutes after takeoff. The Boeing 737 Max 8, registered as VT-BWA, departed from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 6:40 AM, approximately 20 minutes later than its scheduled departure of 6:20 AM, due to a technical malfunction that forced the cancellation of its journey.

Official Cause Still Unknown

The flight was originally scheduled to land in Phuket at 11:45 AM. However, after spending a short time in the air, it turned back and landed safely in Hyderabad. While the exact nature of the technical issue remains undisclosed, aviation sources have confirmed that the crew acted promptly to prioritize passenger safety.

Airline Issues Apology on Social Media

Following the disruption, Air India Express addressed the situation on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, 'We sincerely apologize for the disruption of your flight. To assist you further and check the latest status, please DM us your booking details (PNR). Thank you for your patience and understanding.' Affected passengers have been advised to stay in touch with the airline for updates and rebooking options. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or serious concerns, and further investigation into the technical issue is anticipated.

Previous Flight Cancellation Due to Technical Issues

Earlier, another Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Dubai was canceled after the pilot detected a technical problem just before takeoff. The Boeing 737 Max, which has a capacity of 189 passengers, was scheduled to depart at 6:35 AM. However, upon reaching the runway, the pilot identified the issue and promptly canceled the flight. The aircraft was then taxied back for inspection by the airline's technical team.

Airline's Apology on Social Media

Accept our sincere apologies for the disruption of your flight. To assist you further and check the latest status, please DM us your booking details (PNR). Thanks for your patience and understanding. https://t.co/kmx5RNQfvc

— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) July 19, 2025