EASA Flags Safety Lapses in Air India Aircraft European aviation authorities have raised concerns over safety lapses in Air India aircraft following a series of surprise inspections at airports across Europe, prompting increased scrutiny from regulators and corrective action by India’s aviation watchdog. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) identified multiple issues during inspections carried out under its Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) program. Officials familiar with the findings noted that the ratio of safety issues per inspection for Air India aircraft reached 1.96 in January, triggering concern within the Cologne-based regulator and prompting communication with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A ratio approaching 2 is considered a warning threshold in the SAFA framework. If exceeded, it can result in heightened inspections, operational restrictions, or in extreme cases, bans in European markets. European authorities maintain strict safety standards, and even relatively minor cabin or documentation issues are recorded as compliance findings. The inspections did not point to a single aircraft but rather a pattern of issues across Air India’s fleet, mainly involving older widebody jets such as Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. The findings emerged during routine surprise inspections at multiple European airports under the SAFA program, with increased exposure at hubs like Vienna due to fuel stops on North America routes. In response, the DGCA moved quickly to intensify oversight of the Tata Group-owned airline. Authorities imposed corrective measures and increased inspections of aircraft scheduled for international operations. Only aircraft meeting full compliance standards are now cleared for continued service.#easa #air_india #director_general_of_civil_aviation #tata_group #singapore_airlines
IndiGo’s Delhi–Manchester flight: A 14-hour journey to nowhere An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester was forced to return to its origin after being airborne for nearly eight hours over Ethiopia, effectively turning the journey into a 14-hour flight that ended back where it began. The airline attributed the diversion to “last-minute airspace restrictions” linked to the ongoing situation in West Asia. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, leased from Norse Atlantic Airways, had avoided the entire Gulf region and entered Africa through Ethiopia before executing a u-turn and heading back to Delhi. The flight departed Delhi at 12:30 a.m. on March 9, 2026, and landed at 2:30 p.m. the same day. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, which prompted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue an advisory on February 28 barring carriers from flying over 11 countries in West Asia. This marked the first IndiGo flight to Manchester since February 26, as the aircraft falls under EASA’s jurisdiction. The airline stated in a press release that it was working with authorities to explore options for resuming the journey. The diversion highlights the operational challenges airlines face when conflicts disrupt critical aviation corridors between Europe and Asia. Long-haul flights now risk significant delays, detours, or cancellations as airspace restrictions shift rapidly. Passengers face extended travel times, prolonged airport waits, and uncertainty about departures and arrivals. Airlines must frequently alter routes to comply with evolving advisories, adding complexity to global air travel. The episode underscores the vulnerability of international aviation to geopolitical instability.#delhi #manchester #indigo #norse_atlantic_airways #easa
