Air India San Francisco–Mumbai Flight Delayed in Kolkata Due to Engine Issue, Passengers Deplaned Safely

An Air India flight traveling from San Francisco to Mumbai faced an unexpected delay after it made a precautionary stop at Kolkata airport due to a technical snag in one of its engines. The incident, which took place late Monday night, led to all passengers being safely deboarded while engineers assessed the aircraft.

Emergency Landing Amid Technical Alert

Flight AI-180, operating on the long-haul San Francisco–Mumbai route, was diverted to Kolkata after the pilot noticed an engine alert mid-journey. As a safety precaution, the aircraft landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around midnight.

Airport officials confirmed that the aircraft was parked safely and passengers were immediately deplaned without any injuries or panic. Emergency protocols were followed strictly.

Passenger Safety and Alternate Arrangements

Over 200 passengers were on board, including several NRIs and Indian families returning home. They were accommodated at nearby hotels for rest while Air India worked on alternative flight arrangements and technical inspections.

Many passengers took to social media to appreciate the crew’s calm response and the smooth handling of the situation, though some expressed frustration over the delay and lack of immediate clarity about the next steps.

Why These Mid-Journey Diversions Matter

Incidents like these are rare but highlight the challenges of maintaining older aircraft on ultra-long international routes. With rising air traffic from Tier 2 cities like Nagpur, Coimbatore, and Visakhapatnam to global destinations via hubs like Mumbai or Delhi, more passengers are affected by such technical disruptions.

For Indian flyers, especially those traveling internationally for the first time, mid-route diversions can be stressful — making communication and transparency from airlines even more important.

Conclusion

The Air India San Francisco–Mumbai flight’s emergency halt in Kolkata serves as a reminder of the importance of in-flight safety protocols and technical checks. While all passengers remained safe, the incident also points to the need for upgraded aircraft and better customer communication, especially as India’s aviation sector continues to grow and connect smaller cities to the world.