Two India‑bound Dreamliners, Two Mid‑Air Scares Within Hours: Both Turn Back

Introduction – Fast Recap

Just days after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, two more Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliners bound for India experienced mid-air technical issues and completed in-flight turnbacks—heightening aviation safety concerns.

Hong Kong → Delhi: Air India Flight AI315

Incident Overview

On June 16, 2025, Air India flight AI315 departed Hong Kong for Delhi. Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, pilots identified a possible technical issue and requested to remain near Hong Kong before safely returning

Flight data & crew response

Flight data indicate the aircraft ascended to ~22,000 ft before initiating descent back to Hong Kong. Pilots communicated: “We don’t want to continue further” The Dreamliner landed without incident and is undergoing inspections

London → Chennai: British Airways Flight BA35

A British Airways Boeing 787‑8 en route from London Heathrow to Chennai also returned mid-flight on June 15. The flight reportedly dumped fuel, circled over Dover, and landed safely at Heathrow due to a “technical issue”—described by the airline as a standard precaution

Broader Context and Timing

Ahmedabad crash aftermath

Only days earlier, on June 12, Air India Flight AI171, another 787‑8, tragically crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 279 people (241 aboard, 38 on the ground). That crash has spurred urgent regulatory checks across 787 fleets

Safety scrutiny escalated

Following the Ahmedabad disaster, India’s DGCA mandated enhanced inspections for Boeing 787‑8/9 aircraft—covering fuel systems, flaps, compressors, engine controls, and takeoff thrust parameters

What It Means for Air Travel

• Passenger confidence shaken – Repeated in-flight turnbacks involving the same aircraft model raise red flags and could dent trust.
• Operator vigilance – Air India and BA protocols reflect strong safety-first decisions.
• Boeing’s safety review – Recent Dreamliner setbacks, including this crash and prior battery/flap issues, put Boeing’s quality controls under renewed scrutiny