Three Boeing Dreamliner Flights to India Return Mid-Air Due to Technical Faults, Bomb Threat

New Delhi, 16th June 2025: In a troubling sequence of aviation incidents, multiple Boeing Dreamliner aircraft flying to and from India reported technical issues or emergencies over the past four days, triggering mid-air turnbacks, bomb threat protocols, and passenger distress.

Air India Flight Returns Mid-Air Due to Technical Fault
On Monday, Air India flight AI315—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Hong Kong to Delhi—was forced to return mid-way after a technical fault was detected. The airline has not released details about the specific malfunction or the number of passengers on board. The flight landed safely, and all passengers are reported to be unharmed.

Two International Dreamliners Diverted on Sunday
Two other Dreamliners bound for India on Sunday also had to abort their journeys:
British Airways Flight BA35 from London to Chennai, a Boeing 787-8, turned back to Heathrow after spending nearly two hours in the air. According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the aircraft took off at 1:16 PM local time and circled near the Bay of Dover due to a reported flap failure—an issue related to the wing mechanism that affects landing and lift control.

Lufthansa Flight LH752 from Frankfurt to Hyderabad, a Boeing 787-9, was diverted back to Frankfurt following a bomb threat. The aircraft, which was scheduled to land at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Monday morning, was denied landing clearance by Indian authorities after an email threat was received at 6:01 PM on June 15.

A senior Hyderabad airport official confirmed that all standard security protocols were followed. “Passengers’ safety was paramount. Lufthansa was advised to either return or land at the nearest safe airport. The airline chose to return to Frankfurt,” the official added.

June 12: Fatal Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad
The spate of incidents follows a catastrophic crash on June 12, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed near Ahmedabad within two minutes of takeoff. Tragically, 241 of the 242 people on board, including crew, lost their lives. Only one passenger survived the disaster. An official investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Saudi Airlines Flight Sparks Emergency in Lucknow
In another dramatic incident, Saudi Airlines flight SV-3112 from Jeddah to Lucknow experienced sparks and smoke from its wheels while taxiing after landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport on Sunday morning. The aircraft was carrying 250 passengers, mostly Hajj pilgrims. The pilot immediately halted the aircraft and alerted air traffic control.

Airport fire crews quickly responded, dousing the area with foam and water. The situation was brought under control within 20 minutes, averting what could have been a major accident. A video of the incident surfaced online on Monday morning.

Air India Express Flight Leaves Passengers in Distress for Hours
Adding to the aviation woes, passengers on Air India Express flight IX-196 from Dubai to Jaipur were left sweltering without air conditioning for more than five hours. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 7:25 PM on June 13, took off only at 12:44 AM due to a technical fault. Passengers—over 150 of them—were neither offered water nor comfort services during the delay. Many resorted to fanning themselves with paper, a moment captured in a viral video circulating on social media.

Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
The series of incidents—especially involving Boeing Dreamliners—has sparked concerns about aircraft safety and operational efficiency in Indian and international aviation circles. While all recent turnbacks and emergency landings were handled without injury, the cumulative pattern is drawing attention from regulators and travelers alike.