Cracks in plane: Air India's scary Phuket-Delhi flight

According to the Economic Times, passengers aboard an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a concerning incident involving structural damage to the aircraft. Reports indicate that passengers observed cracks in the window or fuselage area during the flight, leading to significant alarm among those on board. The flight, which was operating on a standard international route, reportedly continued to its destination despite the reported concerns.

Air India has not yet released a comprehensive technical statement regarding the specific nature of the damage or the maintenance status of the aircraft involved. Aviation safety protocols typically require immediate inspection and grounding of any aircraft suspected of having structural integrity issues, and regulatory bodies in India are expected to review the incident to determine if safety standards were compromised during the flight.

This incident adds to a series of operational challenges faced by the airline as it undergoes a major fleet modernization and restructuring program. Passengers and industry observers are awaiting further details from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the findings of the post-flight inspection. The airline is currently coordinating with maintenance teams to assess the airworthiness of the plane before it returns to active service.