Air India Flight Completes 48-Hour Journey After Emergency Diversion

An Air India flight from New Delhi to San Francisco successfully landed after a 48-hour journey, including a diversion to Russia for technical reasons. Flight AI-183 with 225 passengers and 19 crew faced a precautionary landing in Krasnoyarsk before completing its route as AI 1179.

Nearly 30 hours after departing from New Delhi, an Air India flight bound for San Francisco safely landed in the US city following an emergency diversion to Krasnoyarsk International Airport in Russia. The original flight, AI-183, encountered technical issues on July 18, prompting the diversion.

In its final update on Saturday, Air India confirmed that the re-badged flight AI 1179 had safely arrived in San Francisco at 20:27 local time on July 19. 'We thank the DGCA, the Government of India, the Embassy of India in Russia, the Russian authorities, the TSA, US Customs and Border Protection, Krasnoyarsk International Airport, and all involved partners for their support in this situation. Special thanks to AI183 passengers for their patience and understanding during the diversion,' Air India said in a social media post.

On July 18, flight AI-183, carrying 225 passengers and 19 crew members, took off from Delhi at 6 PM and was diverted to Krasnoyarsk due to a technical issue detected in the cargo hold. Passengers and crew disembarked and were taken to the terminal for processing. Air India arranged third-party support due to the absence of its staff at KJA.

The airline liaised with government agencies and regulatory authorities to organize a ferry flight to KJA, departing from Mumbai on July 19. This flight, AI1179, provided necessary support and supplies, including food and a dedicated hotline for passenger families.

AI1179 departed from Krasnoyarsk at midnight local time on July 20, carrying all passengers and crew members of AI183, and landed in San Francisco, ending the 48-hour ordeal. Air India had mobilized additional on-ground support to manage passenger clearances upon arrival and provide for any further assistance, including medical care and onward travel arrangements.

(With inputs from agencies.)