Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 28: The global aviation industry is on high alert following a series of alarming mid-air incidents, with the most recent involving Ethiopian Airlines and Air India flights, raising concerns over passenger safety.
In a serious incident on June 27, Ethiopian Airlines flight ET640, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner travelling from Addis Ababa to Mumbai, was forced to make an emergency landing in Mumbai after experiencing mid-air depressurization at 33,000 feet over the Arabian Sea. Seven passengers required medical attention upon landing, with one individual hospitalised. The sudden drop in cabin pressure reportedly caused panic among passengers as the aircraft’s oxygen and air pressurization systems failed momentarily.
Experts note that such failures are rare but critical, as commercial aircraft rely on advanced systems to maintain breathable air at high altitudes.
This comes just days after multiple troubling occurrences involving Air India. On June 22, flight AI130 from London to Mumbai reported five passengers and two crew members suffering from dizziness and nausea mid-flight. Medical teams were deployed upon landing in Mumbai, with two passengers and two crew members taken for medical evaluation. All were later discharged.
Earlier the same day, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Jammu was forced to return to the capital shortly after takeoff due to a technical snag, further raising safety concerns.
These incidents follow the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, widely described as one of the most devastating aviation disasters in Indian history. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation, including analysis of black box data, to determine the cause of the crash.
The DGCA is now closely monitoring both domestic and international carriers, especially amid the rising number of in-flight health and safety issues. Airlines have been instructed to adhere strictly to safety protocols and enhance technical inspections.
As flyers express growing unease, aviation authorities worldwide are under pressure to ensure enhanced vigilance and swift response to any potential threats to air safety.