New Air India A350 Grounded: What Caused Engine Damage at Delhi Airport?

Air India's newest widebody aircraft, an Airbus A350-900, has been grounded following a significant ground incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI101 to New York (JFK), sustained substantial damage to its right engine (Engine No. 2) after ingesting a cargo container while taxiing in dense fog. This Foreign Object Damage (FOD) incident occurred early on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026.

Incident Details and Regulatory Findings

The incident unfolded after the aircraft was forced to return to Delhi. Air India confirmed that Flight AI101 was recalled shortly after takeoff. This was due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, which impacted its planned route, according to an airline statement.

Upon landing safely at Runway 28, the aircraft began taxiing to its designated parking stand. The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) launched a probe into the matter. Preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred around 5:25 AM IST. Visibility was marginal at the time of the occurrence.

• A ground handling tug from Bird Worldwide Flight Services (BWFS) was transporting containers.
• The tug was crossing a taxiway intersection (N/N4) on a vehicular lane.
• One container toppled onto the taxiway intersection.
• The container was subsequently ingested into the No. 2 engine of the Air India A350.

The DGCA is conducting a detailed investigation into the lapse. The goal is to determine how the container was left unsecured on an active taxiway.

Operational Impact and Flight Disruptions

The Air India A350 grounding is expected to cause operational challenges. The aircraft is currently out of service for thorough inspection and necessary repairs. Air India stated this may cause potential disruptions on select routes operated with the A350 aircraft.

The initial Iranian airspace closure also caused wider disruptions. The Tata Group-owned Air India cancelled at least three US-bound flights. These included services from Delhi to New York (AI101), Delhi to Newark (AI105), and Mumbai to New York (AI119).

Rerouting flights over alternative corridors, such as Iraqi airspace, extends flight duration. For some long-haul US routes, the extended distance makes it difficult to carry sufficient fuel. This operational constraint led to the cancellations.

• Safety: Air India confirmed all passengers and crew were safe.
• Passenger Support: The airline is assisting affected passengers with alternative travel options or refunds.

This incident highlights the critical importance of ground handling safety protocols. This is especially true during low visibility conditions like dense fog. Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is a serious risk to jet engines. The grounding of a new widebody jet like the Airbus A350 creates a significant temporary capacity gap for the airline. This impacts its long-haul international network. The DGCA's full investigation will likely focus on procedural compliance by ground staff. This will ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.

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