Wednesday, July 23, 2025
As a result of a technical problem during Air India Express IX 375 ‘s flight, the airplane was forced to return to Kozhikode International Airport on the morning of July 23, 2025. The aircraft had departed for Doha at 9:07 AM IST with 188 people on board. On board were 175 passengers, 7 children, and some crew members. Some two hours after take-off, the crew found a fault with the air conditioning system of the cabin. It decided as a precautionary measure it was better to go back to Kozhikode for the safety and comfort of passengers.
The Incident and Impact on Passengers
The return flight landed safely at 11:12am on a cool, cloudy Monday morning, bringing to an end a tumultuous trip. No one was injured in a remarkable piece of luck (miraculously) for everyone aboard. This was something no one present had anticipated. Though the actual landing went off without a hitch, the submarine passengers were decidedly inconvenienced. As a result of the unexpected turn of events passengers had to wait at the airport for a further few hours before their next flight. Many people ‘s travel plans were thrown into turmoil; they had to wait longer times for their connecting flights and make changes in heightened schedule.
In response to the problem, Air India Express arranged an alternative flight for passengers so that they could leave the airport at about 1:30 PM IST. The airline also provided food, beverages, and water while all the passengers were waiting for their next available flight. Efforts to minimize the inconvenience were made wherever possible, as the airline stressed to passengers that their safety and comfort were paramount concerns. To prevent the damage to their journey, Air India Express informed passengers that it would send an alternate flight at about 1: 30 p. m. for picking them up.
The return to Kozhikode was not officially listed as an emergency landing LA but only as a precaution, according to an unnamed source in the technical department. That assessment was subsequently confirmed by management officials at the airport. Following conclusion of this summary, we arrived back at Utopia Light House and there were as yet no further safety concerns raised.
Steps Taken by the Airline
To restore normal operations for stranded passengers, Air India Express has taken several measures to solve the problem with a mix of efficiency and goodwill. After the aircraft safely returned to the airport, the airline’s engineering team got on the job straight away to diagnose and rectify what had gone wrong in its cabin air conditioning system. The terrible air conditioning that could otherwise affect passengers ‘ comfortable travel was a failure in the air conditioning set as a whole that might have been exposed aboard this long haul flight.
In order to prevent any further delay, Air India Express went out of its way to join the stranded passengers onto a replacement flight. The airline was active in working with airport authorities so as to ensure that the process of passengers boarding the alternative flight went as smoothly as possible. Moreover, passengers were given refreshments and aid at the airport to enable them wait for their next flight.
The airline issued an official statement assuring passengers that they were doing everything possible to address the inconvenience and ensure that the aircraft would be thoroughly inspected before being cleared for future operations.
A Series of Incidents in July
This technical issue with Air India Express Flight IX 375 is part of a series of incidents faced by the airline in July 2025. While the airline has generally maintained a strong safety record, the recent events have drawn attention and raised questions about the airline’s operational protocols. Below is a summary of the major incidents that occurred with Air India in July:
- July 5, 2025 – Air India Flight from Delhi to London
An Air India flight from Delhi to London was delayed by several hours due to an issue with the aircraft’s navigation system. The technical fault caused the flight to miss its scheduled departure time, leading to delays for passengers. Air India responded by providing passengers with meal vouchers and hotel accommodation for those who had connecting flights. - July 12, 2025 – Air India Flight from Mumbai to New York
A flight from Mumbai to New York was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to an issue with the plane’s autopilot system. The plane safely returned to Mumbai after circling the area for a while, and all passengers were disembarked and put on another flight. The airline issued an apology and explained that the return was necessary to ensure the safety of all those onboard. - July 19, 2025 – Air India Flight from Bengaluru to Dubai
On July 19, an Air India flight traveling from Bengaluru to Dubai was grounded at Dubai International Airport due to a fault in the aircraft’s power supply system. Passengers were stranded for a few hours at the airport while the issue was resolved. The airline arranged alternate transportation and provided passengers with refreshments during the delay.
The Airline’s Commitment to Safety
While Air India has faced several technical difficulties during this month, the airline has consistently reiterated its commitment to safety and passenger satisfaction. Air India’s spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft involved in these incidents would undergo thorough inspections to ensure that the technical issues are addressed and that future flights are unaffected.
Despite the inconvenience, the airline has shown a proactive approach to resolving the issues, ensuring that no passengers are left stranded and that those affected by the delays are compensated appropriately. The airline is also working on ensuring its fleet is regularly serviced and maintained, particularly its older aircraft, to prevent further occurrences of similar problems.
What Passengers Can Do
For travelers flying with Air India Express, especially in light of recent incidents, it is recommended to stay updated on flight statuses through the airline’s official website or mobile app. In case of delays or changes, passengers should remain in contact with the airline’s customer service team to receive updates on alternative arrangements.
Passengers are also encouraged to check the condition of their aircraft before flying. Air India Express and other airlines provide information about the aircraft and its maintenance history on their websites, giving travelers more insight into the operational readiness of the planes they will board.
Conclusion
However, the incident involving Air India Express Flight IX 375 serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel. This technical malfunction, while resolved swiftly and with no accidents, was an embarrassment for passengers: it caused considerable inconvenience to them. However, Air India Express also promptly arranged replacement flights for those affected and ensured that they were cared for as they waited. This episode is just one more in a series of incidents last month, and it sheds new light on how maintaining the security of air travel requires constant vigilance. Only regular maintenance can keep air travel efficient but safe.
The airline is committed to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in future and will do its utmost to avoid them. Air India Express, in common with other airlines as well, gives top priority first of all to the safety and comfort of its passengers. Moreover, it is engaged in constant effort to improve the level of its service to travelers.
