An Air India flight bound for Jodhpur was forced to abort take-off and return to the bay at Mumbai airport on Friday due to an operational issue. The Flight AI645 operating from Mumbai was halted on the runway as a precautionary measure after the issue was detected. It was scheduled to depart at 9:25 am from Terminal 2, when it suddenly stopped. Following this, passengers were immediately asked to disembark form the aircraft.
What Did The Airline Say?
An Air India Spokesperson confirmed the incident and told ANI that the cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run in adherence to standard operating procedures. He stated that the airline remains committed to passengers’ safety and alternative arrangements were made to fly the passengers to their destination.
“Flight AI645 operating from Mumbai to Jodhpur on 22 August returned to the bay due to an operational issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back. Alternative arrangements were made to fly the passengers to their destination,” the statement of the spokesperson read.
The airline has not disclosed the exact nature of the operational issue.
Air India Spokesperson says, "Flight AI645 operating from Mumbai to Jodhpur on 22 August returned to the bay due to an operational issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back. Alternative…
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025
Earlier on August 13, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued a warning to Air India Limited over violations of flight duration rules. The regulator advised the airline’s management to ensure strict compliance with aviation safety standards.
A surprise inspection conducted by the regulator revealed that Air India operated two flights (AI133) from Bengaluru to London on May 16 and 17, 2025, exceeding the prescribed maximum flight limit of 10 hours, which is in violation of the rules of Section 7, Series J, Part III of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).
The warning letter issued by DGCA stated, “During a spot check it was observed that Air India operated flights AI133 on May 16 and 17, 2025, both of which surpassed the 10-hour maximum flight time prescribed under Para 6.1.3 of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7, Series J, Part III, Issue III dated April 24, 2019.”
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