New Delhi, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
An Air India Express flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi returned to Cochin International Airport after the crew detected a problem with the aircraft’s engine parameters, with the airline saying the decision was taken in accordance with established safety protocols.
The Boeing 737 operating flight IX 415 had been about 50 minutes into its journey and was flying at 36,000 feet when the crew noticed a rapid decline in the oil quantity of Engine 1, according to reports.
An Air India Express spokesperson said the incident had occurred a week earlier and urged that it be viewed in its proper timeline and context to avoid unnecessary concern among passengers and the travelling public.
The pilots conducted a FORDEC assessment, a structured aviation decision-making process, and decided to return to Kochi as the engine oil quantity continued to fall. The commander informed air traffic control through Mumbai Radio before the aircraft turned back.
The crew continued monitoring the engine parameters and remained prepared for contingencies during the return flight. Reports said that around 45 minutes after the turnback, the Engine 1 oil pressure began fluctuating and entered the red zone on the cockpit gauge, indicating a dangerous drop.
The aircraft, however, landed safely at Cochin International Airport.
Air India Express said the passengers were subsequently accommodated on an alternative aircraft and continued their journey to Abu Dhabi.
The airline also clarified that the flight had returned in line with established safety procedures, adding that reports lacking the relevant timeline and context could inadvertently cause unnecessary concern among passengers.
In a separate incident earlier in August, an Air India Express flight travelling from Dammam to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad after a tissue paper containing a bomb threat was found in the aircraft’s bathroom. Forty passengers were safely evacuated and frisked.
According to the Airport Police Station, authorities were informed by the Operation Control Centre at around 2:40 pm that flight IX-170, operating from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Delhi, had been diverted to Ahmedabad Airport.
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