Another Air India Incident: Flight Catches Fire Shortly After Landing at Delhi Airport

On July 22, 2025, Air India Flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi, became the center of attention when its auxiliary power unit (APU) caught fire shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi. The incident, which occurred around 12:31 pm IST as passengers were disembarking, caused minor damage to the Airbus A321 aircraft (registered as VT-TVG) but resulted in no injuries, with all 174 passengers and crew safely evacuated. This marks the third Air India-related incident in a single week, raising serious concerns about the airline’s safety protocols and fleet maintenance in the wake of a deadly crash earlier in 2025. Here’s the full story of the incident, its context, and its implications for Air India and Indian aviation.

The Incident: APU Fire at Delhi Airport

Flight AI 315, an Airbus A321, landed safely at IGI Airport at 12:12 pm IST on July 22, 2025, after a routine flight from Hong Kong. As the aircraft taxied to the gate and passengers began disembarking, ground crew noticed smoke emanating from the tail section, where the APU—a small gas turbine engine that provides supplementary power for ground operations like air conditioning and electrical systems—is located. The APU caught fire, but the system’s automatic shutdown mechanism activated as designed, containing the blaze. Airport fire services responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire and towing the aircraft to a remote bay for inspection.

According to an Air India spokesperson, “Flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 22 July 2025, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after it had landed and parked at the gate. The incident occurred while passengers were disembarking, and the APU was automatically shut down as per system design. There was some damage to the aircraft; however, passengers and crew members disembarked normally and are safe.” The airline grounded the aircraft for further investigation and notified the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). No disruptions to airport operations were reported, and passengers were rebooked on subsequent flights.

A Troubling Week for Air India

The APU fire comes on the heels of two other Air India incidents on July 21, 2025, intensifying scrutiny on the airline’s safety record. On Monday, Flight AI 2744 from Kochi to Mumbai veered off the runway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) during heavy rainfall, skidding into an unpaved area before reaching the gate. No injuries were reported, but the A320 aircraft was grounded for checks. Earlier that day, a Kolkata-bound Air India flight (AI 2403) aborted takeoff in Delhi due to a technical snag detected by the cockpit crew.

These incidents follow the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 on June 12, 2025, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 on the ground. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the crash was caused by fuel control switches moving to the “cutoff” position, starving the engines of fuel, though the reason for this remains unclear. The tragedy, India’s deadliest air disaster in nearly three decades, led to heightened DGCA oversight and mandatory safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet.

Context: Air India’s Safety Under Scrutiny

The string of incidents has put Air India, owned by the Tata Group, under a microscope. The airline has faced nine DGCA show-cause notices in the past six months for safety violations, as revealed by Junior Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol. These notices, coupled with the Ahmedabad crash, have fueled public and regulatory concerns about maintenance standards and operational reliability. A comment on a NewKerala.com article from an aviation engineer’s spouse noted that APU fires are “rare if maintenance is proper,” raising questions about Air India’s upkeep of its aging fleet.

The Airbus A321 involved in the Delhi incident, registered as VT-TVG, is part of Air India’s narrow-body fleet, which has faced criticism for technical issues. The APU, located at the tail, is critical for ground operations but not for flight safety, which explains why the incident posed no immediate risk to passengers. However, the recurrence of technical glitches—three in two days—has sparked debate about systemic issues. Posts on X, such as one from @Chaubey2025, reflected public frustration with a sarcastic remark: “Bhai landing ke baad bhi ag lag jaaye toh samajh jao… desi jugaad hawa mein bhi chal raha tha 💀,” highlighting a perception of negligence.

Investigation and Industry Implications

The DGCA has launched a probe into the APU fire, with preliminary findings pointing to a malfunction in the unit. Air India has grounded the aircraft for a detailed inspection, and Boeing may provide technical assistance, given the airline’s recent scrutiny of its Boeing 787 and 737 fleets following the Ahmedabad crash. The airline’s proactive inspections of fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its Boeing aircraft indicate a heightened focus on preventing similar incidents, but the APU fire suggests broader maintenance challenges.

This incident adds to a troubling trend in Indian aviation. On the same day, an IndiGo flight from Goa to Indore made an emergency landing due to landing gear issues, and earlier incidents in 2025, including a SpiceJet technical glitch in Kolkata and an IndiGo emergency landing in May, have raised concerns about industry-wide safety protocols. The DGCA’s increased oversight and calls for an independent inquiry, as suggested by some online commentators, reflect growing pressure to address these issues.

Public and Industry Reaction

The safe evacuation of all passengers and crew has been a silver lining, with Air India’s swift response and the APU’s automatic shutdown earning praise for adhering to safety protocols. However, the incident has amplified public unease, especially after the Ahmedabad tragedy. X posts captured mixed sentiments, with @ETNOWlive reporting the incident as a “scare” but confirming passenger safety, while @volcaholic1 shared Reuters’ coverage of the grounding, emphasizing the need for investigation. The public’s trust in Air India, already shaken by the June crash, faces further strain as the airline navigates these setbacks.

Globally, the incident risks tarnishing India’s aviation reputation. A commenter on NewKerala.com warned, “The aviation minister should order an independent inquiry. Too many such incidents lately. We’re becoming a joke in international aviation circles.” Air India’s efforts to modernize its fleet and restore routes post-Ahmedabad, including new flights to London Heathrow starting August 1, may face challenges if safety concerns persist.

Looking Ahead

The APU fire on Flight AI 315, while contained, underscores the urgency for Air India to address maintenance and operational issues. The DGCA’s investigation will likely focus on the APU malfunction’s root cause and whether it reflects broader fleet management gaps. For passengers, the incident serves as a reminder of aviation’s robust safety systems, but the frequency of Air India’s recent incidents—three in a week—demands transparency and accountability.

As Air India works to rebuild trust, the airline must balance its expansion plans with rigorous safety enhancements. The Tata Group’s commitment to compensating Ahmedabad crash victims and supporting investigations is a step forward, but preventing future incidents will be critical to restoring confidence. For now, the grounding of Flight AI 315’s aircraft and the DGCA’s probe will shape the narrative around Air India’s safety record, with the industry and public watching closely.