An Air India flight travelling from Bengaluru to Delhi declared a full emergency at Delhiâs Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Thursday night after a suspected engine fire warning during landing procedures.
Flight AI 2802, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, landed safely on runway 29R at around 9.30 pm. According to officials quoted by Hindustan Times, the aircraft was later towed away from the runway, which resumed normal operations at 10.18 pm. There were 171 passengers on board.
Fire warning triggered during final approach
In a statement issued after the incident, Air India said the cockpit crew received a fire warning from one of the engines while the aircraft was on its final approach to Delhi. The airline later confirmed that the warning was genuine.
The airline said the crew responded according to safety protocols and completed a safe landing at the airport. All passengers and crew members exited the aircraft normally.
âAir India is immediately initiating a full investigation into the cause of the incident in coordination with the relevant regulatory authorities. We are committed to sharing further verified information as soon as it becomes available. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority,â the airline said.
Earlier, an Air India spokesperson had stated, âWe are aware of an incident involving flight AI2802 operating from Bengaluru to Delhi on 21 May 2026. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew are safe.â
Air India confirms an incident involving Flight AI2802 operating from Bengaluru to Delhi on 21 May 2026.
— Air India (@airindia) May 21, 2026
During the aircraftâs final approach into Delhi, the cockpit crew received a fire indication from one of the engines. The indication was subsequently confirmed as true. TheâŠ
âWe are currently gathering additional information and are working closely with the relevant authorities. Further updates will be shared as more details become available.â
We are aware of an incident involving flight AI2802 operating from Bengaluru to Delhi on 21 May 2026. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew are safe.
— Air India (@airindia) May 21, 2026
We are currently gathering additional information and are working closely with the relevant authorities.âŠ
Second Air India incident on the same day
The emergency landing came on the same day another Air India aircraft was grounded after suffering a tail strike while landing at Bengaluru airport earlier on Thursday.
The aircraft involved in that incident was an A321 operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru with 181 passengers on board.
An Air India spokesperson said the aircraft âexperienced a tail-strike during landingâ. The airline added that the aircraft landed safely and passengers and crew members disembarked without any issue.
