An Air India flight en route from Delhi to Washington, DC was unexpectedly grounded in Vienna on Wednesday after routine safety checks during a scheduled refuelling stop revealed a technical issue requiring extended maintenance. The disruption triggered the cancellation of both the onward and return legs of the journey, leaving scores of passengers stranded.
Flight AI103, which departed Delhi on July 2, landed in Vienna as part of its planned refuelling schedule. However, a post-landing inspection flagged a mechanical anomaly that could not be resolved promptly. Air India officials opted to ground the aircraft in the interest of passenger safety.
Passengers were asked to disembark in Vienna. Those carrying valid Schengen visas or eligible for visa-free access were accommodated in hotels. For others, arrangements were made in collaboration with Austrian immigration and airport authorities to ensure their welfare during the delay.
The airline confirmed that the return flight — AI104 from Washington to Delhi — which was scheduled to operate using the same aircraft, was also cancelled. Impacted passengers were either rebooked on alternative services or offered full refunds.
The grounded aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner — a model that has come under scrutiny globally following the recent tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 270 lives. While the incidents are not directly linked, the airline has heightened safety checks across its fleet as a precautionary measure.
“We are taking no chances when it comes to passenger safety. Every technical anomaly, no matter how minor, is being addressed thoroughly,” an Air India spokesperson said. The airline also noted that some routes may see temporary capacity reductions as part of its strategy to stabilise operations and avoid sudden cancellations.
