Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 27: In an unusual turn of events, an Air India flight bound for Bangkok was delayed for more than five hours at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after airport personnel discovered hay lodged beneath the aircraft’s wing.
Flight AI 2354, operated by an Airbus A320Neo, was scheduled to depart at 7:45 am on June 25. However, the flight eventually took off only around 1:00 pm, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers. The incident, confirmed by the airline in an official statement, left many surprised due to the bizarre nature of the obstruction.
"AI2354 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Bangkok on 25 June 2025 was held back as some hay was found stuck below the left wing of the operating aircraft," Air India stated. The airline further clarified that the aircraft was thoroughly inspected and cleared for operations after addressing the issue. Interestingly, the source of the hay remains a mystery, raising questions about airside safety protocols.
Passengers were asked to disembark while the matter was being resolved and were served refreshments as they waited for further updates. However, the delay extended after the original flight crew reached their regulatory duty limit, necessitating the deployment of a new crew team.
The incident comes in the wake of intensified scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which recently conducted surprise inspections at major Indian airports, including Mumbai. The DGCA had flagged several safety concerns ranging from aircraft maintenance to ground handling operations and issued strict directives to correct identified lapses within a week.
This delay, though non-threatening, adds to a string of recent concerns over aviation safety. Just days earlier, the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad claimed 270 lives, prompting an emergency audit of aviation infrastructure and compliance standards.
While the hay incident did not pose a direct safety risk, aviation insiders point out that such unexpected obstructions highlight the need for heightened vigilance on the ground. For now, the flight has reached its destination safely, but the episode has sparked fresh debate over airport maintenance practices and operational preparedness.