HONG KONG— Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) flight AI315, operating from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL), returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue on June 16, 2025.
The 7.7-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered VT-NAC, landed safely at HKG after the pilot decided to turn back. The specific nature of the issue is under investigation, and no injuries were reported.
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANM, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290529Air India Hong Kong Flight U-Turn
Flight AI315, operated by Air India (AI), departed from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on its scheduled route to Delhi (DEL) on Monday. Shortly into the flight, the pilot reported a suspected technical irregularity and chose to return to Hong Kong as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner powered by GEnX engines, executed a safe landing back at HKG. While airline authorities have yet to publicly specify the technical fault, standard safety protocols were followed, and no onboard emergency was declared.
Passengers were disembarked safely, and alternate arrangements were reportedly being planned.
This event follows a tragic accident involving another Air India (AI) Dreamliner. On Thursday, a London-bound Air India flight from Ahmedabad (AMD) crashed shortly after departure, striking the doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College.
The aircraft involved in the crash was also a Boeing 787-8. Of the 242 people onboard—230 passengers and 12 crew—241 lost their lives.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, remains hospitalized with injuries. The cause of the Ahmedabad crash is under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrSimilar Incidents
A British Airways (BA) flight BA35 returned to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on June 15, 2025, after a technical issue occurred shortly after takeoff en route to Chennai International Airport (MAA).
Separately, Lufthansa (LH) flight LH752 from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) also turned back mid-flight under unspecified circumstances, though no emergency was declared in either incident.
British Airways flight BA35, operated with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration G-ZBJG), departed Heathrow (LHR) at 13:16 local time bound for Chennai (MAA). After reaching cruising altitude and proceeding over the Strait of Dover, the flight crew identified a technical anomaly.
Following standard procedures, the aircraft circled briefly and returned safely to its departure point. British Airways confirmed the return was precautionary, not an emergency, and emphasized that passenger safety was never compromised.
Flightradar24 data showed the Dreamliner making multiple loops over the English Channel before heading back to LHR. The aircraft landed without incident. The airline has not disclosed specifics about the technical issue but noted the decision aligned with operational safety protocols.
Photo: LufthansaLufthansa Flight to Hyderabad Returns Mid-Air
In a separate incident the same day, Lufthansa (LH) flight LH752, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, returned to Frankfurt (FRA) after takeoff for Hyderabad (HYD). The aircraft had been expected to arrive in India by early Monday morning, but turned around shortly after crossing Eastern Europe.
Although Lufthansa has yet to issue a formal explanation, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport’s (HYD) air traffic control confirmed receiving a flight return notice. Tracking platforms showed the aircraft reversing course and heading west toward its origin.
No emergency signals were broadcast, and there were no reported onboard issues. The maneuver appears to have been a proactive response to a technical concern, mirroring the approach taken by British Airways earlier in the day.
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Air India Pilots Did Everything to Avoid First 787 Crash in the World
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