On June 16, 2025, the pilot of Air India flight AI315, en route from Hong Kong to Delhi, made the decision to return to Hong Kong International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. While the airline has not released specific details regarding the technical fault, the pilot's communication with air traffic control suggests a concern that prompted a swift return.

According to sources, the pilot could be heard telling Air Traffic Control, "We don't want to continue further," indicating a level of concern that led to the decision to abort the flight and return to Hong Kong. This statement underscores the pilot's commitment to safety and a decision-making process prioritizing the well-being of the passengers and crew.

The Air India flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Hong Kong at approximately 12:16 PM local time. The flight reached an altitude of 22,000 feet before descending and turning back towards Hong Kong, according to flight tracking data. The aircraft landed safely back at Hong Kong International Airport around 1:15 PM local time, approximately one hour after departure.

Upon landing, all passengers disembarked safely, and the aircraft is currently undergoing thorough inspection by engineers to determine the exact cause of the technical issue. Air India has stated that all standard safety protocols were followed, and alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination in Delhi as soon as possible. The airline is also providing necessary on-ground assistance to minimize any inconvenience caused by the disruption.

This incident occurred just days after a devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, where a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 241 lives. Understandably, this recent tragedy has heightened concerns surrounding Air India's safety record and the operation of its Boeing 787 fleet.

In the wake of the Ahmedabad crash, Indian authorities had already ordered Air India to conduct additional safety checks on all of its Boeing 787 aircraft. While there has been no suggestion of grounding the planes, the latest incident involving flight AI315 is likely to intensify scrutiny on the airline's maintenance procedures and the overall airworthiness of its fleet.

The Air India spokesperson released a statement saying, "AI315 operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 16 June 2025 returned to Hong Kong shortly after take off due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely at Hong Kong and is undergoing checks as a matter of abundant precaution. Alternative arrangements have been planned to fly the passengers to their destination Delhi at the earliest. We are providing all necessary on-ground assistance to the passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption".