Air India plane's tail catches fire after landing at Delhi airport; passengers safe

Air India said that the aircraft has been grounded for further investigations, adding that the regulator has been duly notified.

Updated on: Jul 22, 2025, 22:52:52 IST

By HT News Desk

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An Air India plane's tail caught fire shortly after landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport (IGI) from Hong Kong on Tuesday. Though the aircraft sustained some damage, passengers and crew members disembarked from the plane safely. The aircraft in question was an two-year-old Airbus aircraft, which was previously operated by Vistara.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said an investigation into the matter is underway (Representational Image, Reuters)

The Hong Kong to Delhi Flight AI 315 on Tuesday, July 22, suffered an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after it landed and parked at the gate, according to the airline.

In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said, "Flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 22 July 2025, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after it had landed and parked at the gate. The incident occurred while passengers had begun disembarking, and the APU was automatically shut down as per system design."

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"There was some damage to the aircraft; however, passengers and crew members disembarked normally and are safe. The aircraft has been grounded for further investigations and the regulator has been duly notified," the spokesperson added.

Investigation into the matter is underway.

Air India hit the headlines for two different aircraft incidents on Monday. A Kolkata-bound Air India plane had to abort takeoff due to a technical snag at the Delhi airport.

ALSO READ | AAIB probe into Air India crash transparent, totally unbiased: Ram Mohan Naidu

In another incident, Air India flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai, veered off the runway while landing in heavy rain at the Mumbai airport. "The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked. The aircraft has been grounded for checks," an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

Operations of one of the runways at the Mumbai airport were temporarily suspended after the incident.

ALSO READ | Air India completes check of all Boeing planes, says no issues found

In a separate incident, an IndiGo plane from Goa, carrying 140 passengers, made an emergency landing at the Indore airport following a technical snag related to its landing gear.

Flight 6E 813, operating from Goa International Airport (Dabolim) to Indore, reported the technical snag just before landing. "The aircraft landed safely in Indore. It will undergo necessary checks, as per mandatory procedures, before resuming operations," an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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