Air India A350 Suffers Engine Damage After Baggage Container Ingestion At Delhi Airport

An early-morning ground incident involving an Air India wide-body aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport has drawn regulatory attention after one of the plane’s engines was damaged during taxiing operations. The episode occurred in low-visibility conditions caused by dense fog and has resulted in the aircraft being temporarily withdrawn from service. The aircraft in question was an Airbus A350 scheduled to operate Flight AI101 on the Delhi-New York route. The flight’s journey was disrupted earlier when it had to turn back to Delhi shortly after departure due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, which affected the aircraft’s planned routing. After completing a safe landing back at the airport, the incident unfolded during ground movement. A baggage continer was sucked into the engine of a. Air India Airbus A350 at Delhi Airport today #aviation pic.twitter.com/I5eadk83uu - Arindam Majumder (@ari_maj) January 15, 2026 According to the airline, the aircraft encountered an unexpected object while taxiing on the apron. The object, later identified as a baggage container, was drawn into the aircraft’s right engine, leading to visible damage. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Air India confirmed that the aircraft was brought to a halt without further complications and guided safely to its designated parking stand. All passengers and crew remained unharmed throughout the incident. Air India has since grounded the aircraft to allow for a detailed technical examination and repair work. Engineers will carry out a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage before the plane is cleared for operations again. The airline has also cautioned that the temporary removal of the A350 from service could lead to adjustments on certain long-haul routes operated by the aircraft type. In the aftermath, Air India said it is proactively assisting affected passengers by offering rebooking options, alternative flights and refunds where required. The carrier reiterated that safety considerations take precedence over operational schedules and that passenger convenience is being addressed alongside the technical response. India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has initiated an independent investigation into the incident. The probe is expected to focus on apron safety management, ground handling coordination and the circumstances that allowed a baggage container to remain in an active taxiing area. Special attention is likely to be paid to airport operations during adverse weather, when visibility constraints can increase operational risks. Foreign object ingestion incidents, commonly referred to as FOD events, are closely monitored in aviation due to their potential impact on aircraft engines. Airports and airlines follow strict procedures to minimise such risks, including regular runway and apron inspections. However, challenging weather conditions like winter fog can complicate ground operations. While normal flight movements at Delhi Airport continued after the incident, the episode has once again highlighted the importance of robust ground safety protocols. The findings of the DGCA investigation are expected to guide any corrective measures, as Air India works to restore full service on its affected international routes. SEE ALSO: India Open 2026: Monkey Inside Venue Triggers Safety Concerns In...

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