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Delhi-bound Air India flight diverted to Ireland after mid-air technical snag

A Delhi-bound Air India flight from New York was diverted to Ireland after a suspected technical issue was detected during the journey.

By Shaptadeep Saha

Mar 17, 2026 02:25 IST

Air India flight diversion, Air India AI102, New York to Delhi flight, Shannon Airport, Ireland, aviation technical snag, Air India A350, flight safety.

Flight diverted to Ireland after a suspected technical snag

A Delhi-bound aircraft operated by Air India was diverted to Ireland after a suspected technical issue was detected during the flight. The plane was travelling from New York to New Delhi when the crew decided to make a precautionary diversion.

“Flight AI102 operating from New York [JFK] to Delhi on March 15 made a precautionary diversion to Shannon, Ireland, following a suspected technical issue,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

The aircraft was carrying around 300 passengers and crew members at the time. After flying for nearly six hours, the pilots decided to divert the plane to Shannon Airport as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at around 4:30 am local time in Shannon. Airline officials confirmed that all passengers and crew on board were safe.

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Aircraft undergoing detailed technical inspection

Following the safe landing, the aircraft was taken for a detailed technical inspection in line with safety protocols. The airline said the plane would not continue its journey until all necessary checks were completed.

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft had already been airborne for several hours before the diversion decision was taken. The move was described as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

Airline officials are currently assessing the aircraft to identify the exact cause of the suspected technical problem. Passengers are expected to be accommodated on alternate arrangements or the same aircraft once it is cleared for operation.

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The incident highlights the aviation industry’s safety-first approach, where pilots often divert flights to the nearest suitable airport if a potential technical issue is detected during a long-haul journey.

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