Air India A350 Engine Damaged by Baggage Container at Delhi IGI Airport.

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 16, 2026 at 06:37 AM•2 min read

SAFETY

Air India A350 Engine Damaged by Baggage Container at Delhi IGI Airport.

Air India's newest Airbus A350 sustained engine damage at Delhi IGI Airport after ingesting an improperly secured baggage container while taxiing in dense fog, prompting a DGCA probe.

Key Points

1Air India A350 (VT-JRB) suffered substantial engine damage on January 15, 2026, after a foreign object ingestion (FOI) at Delhi IGI Airport.
2The FOI involved the aircraft's No. 2 engine sucking in a cargo container that had toppled onto the taxiway due to a loose wheel on its dolly.
3The incident occurred in dense fog after the New York-bound flight, AI101, was forced to return to Delhi due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace.
4The DGCA has launched a probe focusing on ground handling standards and airside safety compliance, especially during reduced visibility conditions.

Air India’s newest Airbus A350 sustained substantial engine damage on January 15, 2026. The aircraft ingested a baggage container at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The foreign object ingestion (FOI) occurred while the plane was taxiing in dense fog. Flight AI101, bound for New York (JFK), had over 250 passengers on board. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported.

The Double Disruption

This incident followed an air turn-back earlier that morning. The flight had departed Delhi at 2:36 A.M. It was forced to return due to the unexpected Iranian airspace closure. Iran’s airspace is a key corridor for westbound transatlantic flights. With no viable alternate routing, the crew returned to Delhi. Upon landing, the aircraft was taxiing to its parking bay. Around 05:25 IST, the No. 2 engine ingested the cargo container.

Preliminary details from the DGCA revealed the cause. A Bird Worldwide Flight Services (BWFS) tug was moving containers. One wheel came off a container dolly during movement. This caused a container to topple onto the taxiway intersection. The equipment operator left the fallen container behind. The container was then sucked into the A350’s right engine.

DGCA Investigation and Airside Safety Concerns

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe. The investigation will determine how the foreign object entered the taxiway. It will also focus on compliance with ground-handling procedures. Foreign object ingestion events are serious safety occurrences. They can cause severe damage to engine fan blades and internal components.

This event highlights ongoing airside safety concerns at Indian airports. Past incidents involved vehicles or unattended equipment colliding with aircraft. Rigorous ground handling standards are essential, especially in low visibility. The DGCA is now reviewing safety measures.

Industry Impact and Operational Challenges

The Air India A350 engine damage has grounded the aircraft. This adds to Air India’s widebody aircraft shortage. One of the airline's six A350s is now out of service for repairs. This may cause potential disruptions on select A350 routes.

The initial airspace closure also impacted many long-haul flights. Carriers were forced to reroute, leading to delays and cancellations. Alternative routes increase flight time and fuel consumption. This raises operational costs for airlines like Air India. The dual events underscore the complex challenges in global commercial aviation. These challenges include geopolitical risks and strict airside operations.

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