Air India, which has the largest network of India – US non-stop operations, today has run into a bit of rough weather with their Delhi – San Francisco operation.

Air India 777 makes an emergency landing in Russia.

On Tuesday, Air India’s Delhi-San Francisco (SFO), operating as flight number AI173 using one of the older 777LRs of the airline, VT-ALH, had to divert to Magadan in Russia after the 777’s engine developed a snag while overflying Russia. The aircraft had 232 people on board and diverted 8.5 hours after take off from Delhi.

As per a statement from Air India,

The Boeing 777 developed a technical issue. The flight carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members was diverted and landed safely in Magadan airport in Russia. The passengers are being provided all support on ground and will be provided an alternate option to reach their destination at the earliest. The aircraft is undergoing the mandatory checks on ground.

It seems the aircraft’s snag is not major, although Air India is making provisions for the dispatch of another aircraft from Delhi, which will carry the “men and materials” for the repair of the aircraft. The new aircraft will carry the people to SFO, while the current one will be fixed and brought back to India. Unfortunately, this does not look like an easy fix since the aircraft won’t arrive for at least a day.

Also, per accounts of people on the ground, there are not enough rooms to accommodate people.

A relative is on that flight & that town barely has enough hotels to accommodate all 200+ pax& crew. Plus its 1:30am local time with the only hotels not reachable and the only update from the PIC was a replacement 777 is heading from BOM in the next 17-18 hours. Complete Chaos.

— Adithya PC (@guardpolice) June 6, 2023

The airline operates the Delta-leased 777LRs on the BOM/BLR to USA routes, keeping the three 777LRs from their earlier days to operate on DEL-SFO rotations because the Delta aircraft do not have the extra fittings required to fly over the Hindukush mountains.

Bottomline

Air India has had to divert an aircraft operating a Delhi – San Francisco flight today to Eastern Russia after 8 hours or so in flight. While everyone landed safely, another aircraft will be dispatched shortly to bring them to their destination. Still, the flights will be taking another day before this aircraft arrives, and they can depart from Russia.

What do you make of the current situation?

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