Fire Breaks Out on Air India Flight in Delhi Amid APU Malfunction, Weeks After Fatal Crash Raises Safety Alarms
In yet another safety scare for India’s national carrier, a fire erupted in the auxiliary power unit (APU) of an Air India aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) shortly after landing from Hong Kong. The incident involving Flight AI315 occurred as passengers were disembarking, intensifying public concern just weeks after a fatal crash in Ahmedabad killed 260 people.
According to Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the APU fire occurred while the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was parked at the gate. The APU, which powers electrical and air conditioning systems while the aircraft is on the ground, reportedly shut down automatically as per safety protocols. No injuries or evacuations were reported, and all passengers had safely exited the aircraft before the fire ignited.
The July 22 incident is under investigation, with Air India confirming the aircraft has been grounded and all relevant aviation authorities have been notified. “A full investigation is underway. Safety remains our top priority,” the airline said in an official statement.
Mounting Pressure Following Deadly June Crash
This fire follows closely on the heels of a devastating tragedy on June 12, when Air India Flight AI171 crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash claimed 260 lives, including one survivor from the 242 passengers onboard and 19 casualties on the ground, marking one of India’s worst aviation disasters in over a decade.
Preliminary findings from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft suffered a sudden fuel supply cutoff to both engines, occurring within seconds of each other. Investigators suggest a technical fault in the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanism may have contributed to the rapid power loss. The pilots were left with mere moments to react, ultimately failing to regain control of the aircraft.
In response, Air India carried out fleet-wide inspections of the FCS locking systems across its Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline reported no abnormalities in the results. The Boeing 787s are part of Air India’s international long-haul fleet, while the Boeing 737s are operated by its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express.
Pattern of Safety Violations Raises Concerns
The APU fire and June crash are not isolated events. A disclosure made by India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to the Rajya Sabha on July 21—the day before the Delhi incident—revealed that Air India has been issued nine show-cause notices over the past six months. These stemmed from five separate safety violations. At least one enforcement action has been concluded, while the remaining cases are under review.
Despite these troubling indicators, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated in a separate parliamentary reply that no negative reliability trend had been observed for Air India aircraft based on six-month maintenance data submitted by the airline. This statement has drawn criticism from aviation safety advocates, who argue that repeated incidents warrant greater regulatory intervention.
International Repercussions and Regulatory Response
The fire on Flight AI315 comes at a time when Air India’s global reputation is already under strain. With international routes linking key hubs such as Hong Kong, London, Dubai, and New York, the airline is under heightened surveillance from aviation regulators across the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Aviation analysts suggest that Indian authorities, including the DGCA and AAIB, must fast-track reforms to rebuild public confidence. Measures could include increased frequency of unannounced aircraft inspections, mandatory audits of critical onboard systems like APU and FCS, and greater transparency in incident reporting.
Experts also call for enhanced accountability from both the airline and its aircraft manufacturer partners. Air India’s Dreamliner fleet, supplied by Boeing, has come under scrutiny worldwide for maintenance issues tied to fuel systems and electrical faults.
Passenger Sentiment Shifting Amid Turbulent Summer
For Indian and international travelers, recent events are prompting reconsideration of airline choices. A series of social media posts from passengers arriving on Flight AI315 describe a “burning smell” and “visible smoke from the rear” as they disembarked, though no official confirmation has been provided regarding visible flames in the cabin or on the tarmac.
Tourism industry insiders worry that these repeated safety events may deter foreign travelers from choosing Air India on inbound routes, particularly during India’s summer travel peak. The airline, now part of the Tata Group and undergoing a long-term transformation plan, faces the dual challenge of improving fleet reliability while sustaining passenger loyalty.
What Happens Next?
The AAIB is expected to release a final report on the June crash within the next 90 days, while the investigation into the APU fire is ongoing. In the interim, India’s aviation authorities have promised stricter oversight and are reportedly considering the temporary grounding of specific aircraft models pending further inspections.
As global tourism resumes post-pandemic, ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of Indian aviation carriers has become more urgent than ever. With rising competition from Vistara, IndiGo, and international carriers, Air India must act decisively to prove that safety is more than just a promise—it’s a non-negotiable standard.
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