Air India plane forced to divert as concerning change detected in cabin

Airline crews were forced to divert an Air India plane mid-flight after a temperature anomaly was detected in the cabin, landing passengers thousands of miles short of their destination.

Passengers aboard Air India flight AI357 landed in Kolkata after their plane, which was en route to Delhi at the time, after lifting off from Tokyo on Sunday. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed they were dropped off more than 1,500 miles from their final destination after a "persistent warm temperature" was detected in the cabin. They added the plane is now "undergoing checks" just two weeks following the devastating Air India Flight 171 disaster.

READ MORE: Investigators reach crucial stage in probe of one of worst aviation disasters

Crews onboard the Boeing 787 aircraft took what the spokesperson said was a "precautionary diversion" before landing safely in Kolkata earlier today.

The spokesperson said: "Air India flight AI357 operating from Haneda to Delhi on 29 June 2025 made a precautionary diversion to Kolkata due to persistent warm temperature experienced in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely into Kolkata and is currently undergoing checks."

Air India added that ground staff were assisting passengers and would make alternative arrangements for the passengers to continue onwards to the northern Indian region.

They continued: “Our ground colleagues in Kolkata are providing all necessary support to passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen diversion. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly our passengers to Delhi at the earliest. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers."

The diversion comes just two weeks after the devastating June 12 Air India Flight 171 crash. The doomed flight crashed in a towering fireball, killing all but one of the passengers just 40 seconds after taking off for Gatwick from Ahmedabad Airport. 

As investigations into the cause of one of India's most devastating air disasters in recent memory continue, several other incidents have plagued the airline.

Chennai-bound Air India Flight AI639 was forced to return to Mumbai after the airline said a burning smell was detected in the cabin on Friday, with the plane landing safely after taking precautions.

On June 22, an Air India flight from Birmingham was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a bomb threat, where it underwent urgent security checks. A spokesperson for the airline said: "Flight AI114 from Birmingham to New Delhi on June 21 received a bomb threat and was consequently diverted to Riyadh, where it landed safely and completed security checks.

"The inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption is sincerely regretted. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destinations."