Flight postponement extended beyond 5 hours at Mumbai's airport due to suspicious hay discovery on the aircraft's wing.
Hay Mystery on Air India Flight: The enigma of a hay source persists for Air India's Mumbai-Bangkok flight, flight number AI 2354, that was delayed by more than five hours on June 25, 2025.
A casual inspection of this Airbus A320Neo aircraft at Mumbai Airport revealed hay lodged beneath its left wing, causing quite the commotion. Flightradar24.com reported the plane's scheduled departure at 7:45 am, but it didn't take off until around 1 pm.
Read more: Air India Restarts Flights to UAE, Middle East, Europe, and the US
Airline's Reaction
Air India confirmed the incident, stating that prompt action was taken to address the issue, and the aircraft was cleared for operation following mandatory checks. However, the airline was tight-lipped regarding crucial details such as the number of passengers and crew, the type of aircraft, and the exact duration of the delay.
Flight Crew Time Restrictions and the Ensuing Delay
Air India explained that regulatory flight duty time limitations prevented the original crew from operating the delayed flight. Passengers were disembarked and served refreshments while a fresh crew was assembled.
Unraveling the Hay's Origin
The hay's origin remains shrouded in mystery, with Air India urging its ground service provider at Mumbai Airport to delve deep into the investigation. The incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation safety body[2][4][5].
DGCA's Wide-ranging Investigations
The unexplained delay comes on the heels of the DGCA launching a comprehensive investigation drive at various airports across India in response to the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Areas under scrutiny included flight operations, aircraft airworthiness, ramp safety, Air Traffic Control, Communication, Navigation and Surveillance systems, and pre-flight medical checks[6][7][8][9][10].
Although the DGCA did not name any specific airlines or airports, multiple violations were found in aircraft maintenance and operational procedures, signaling increasing vigilance towards India's aviation safety practices.
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- The unexpected delay of Air India's Mumbai-Bangkok flight, AI 2354, on June 25, 2025, due to a hay source, also draws attention to the safety practices in the aviation industry, especially after the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
- In the wake of the hay-related delay of Air India's flight and the DGCA's comprehensive investigation into aviation safety, questions about the financial implications for the airline and the transportation industry as a whole have arisen.
- As the airline industry faces increased scrutiny due to the events of Air India's delayed flight and the subsequent investigation by the DGCA, the importance of maintaining adequate healthcare facilities and services for passengers and crew becomes even more critical.
