An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi was forced to return to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on Monday as a precaution after pilots reported a suspected technical issue mid-flight, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The aircraft, a seven-year-old Dreamliner, departed HKIA at approximately 12:20 PM local time but turned back around an hour later, landing safely at 1:15 PM. Flight tracking data showed the plane reached an altitude of 22,000 feet before initiating its descent. Airport authorities confirmed the incident did not disrupt operations, and the aircraft is now undergoing inspections.
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This incident follows a tragic Air India crash on June 13 in Ahmedabad, India, where a Boeing 787-8 bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in a decade, also claimed lives on the ground as the plane struck a medical college hostel.
Rescue operations in Ahmedabad have concluded, with authorities now focused on recovering aircraft parts, including the black boxes, to determine the cause of the crash. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site, calling the devastation “saddening,” while Air India’s CEO pledged support for affected families.
Neither Air India nor Boeing has yet commented on the Hong Kong diversion. The incidents pose fresh challenges for both the airline, which is modernizing its fleet, and Boeing, which continues to face scrutiny over safety concerns.
