An Air India flight operating on Tuesday, June 6th, between Delhi and San Francisco, encountered an unexpected technical issue, which required a diversion to the remote Russian airport, Magadan Sokol Airport (GDX). The airline has since released a media statement, noting that all 216 passengers and 16 crew landed safely and have worked with local authorities to accommodate and reschedule passengers to their final destinations.
A ferry flight was deployed from Mumbai on July 7th, departing from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) at 15:21, touching down in the port town located on the shores of the Nagayev Bay at 06:14 this morning.
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AI195 to the rescue
The 13-year-old Boeing 777, registration VT-ALF that was deployed to help, was on the ground for approximately four hours before departing Magadan at 10:27, with an expected arrival into San Francisco by 00:04. The airline noted that the flight was carrying sufficient food and essentials to ensure the onward flight could continue without significant disruption. Air India noted:
We at Air India are concerned about the passengers and staff. We are making every effort to operate the ferry flight as soon as possible and to ensure the health, safety, and security of all while they wait.
Air India has deployed additional on-ground support upon the flight's arrival at SFO.
With no Air India staff available in the Magadan area, the airline was supported by the Consulate General of India located in Vladivostok, over 3,100 miles away, and India's Ministry of External Affairs, and collaboration with local ground handling services at the Russian airport.
Since its war with Ukraine, international relations with Russia have soured, banning numerous Western countries from operating in its airspace. However, Air India has been permitted to fly over the world's largest country to facilitate its North American operations. The airline's CEO recently defended its use of Russian airspace, noting:
“We operate within the ambit of what’s provided to us by the nation of India.”
“Not all nations agree. And so there are going to be different outcomes as a consequence. Over the past few years, I think we’ve seen the consequence of aviation not being able to connect people, economies, and cultures and support all the other things we spin-off.”
United States watching the situation unfold
As reported by CNN, the United States was keeping a close eye on the situation. It is unclear how many US citizens were onboard; however, it is highly likely to include some, given the flight destination. Vedant Patel, the State Department spokesperson, noted that manifests for arriving passengers may be required for the flight's arrival to the United States.
Given the country's widespread sanctions, further investigations may also be required should the affected aircraft need any replacement parts sourced from Russia. The diversion will raise questions about how the US-built Boeing aircraft will be able to be repaired amid the current sanctions, such as a previous Norwegian Air 737 which encountered an emergency landing in Iran and was stranded for more than two months.
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Air India
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- AI/AIC
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1946
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- CEO:
- Campbell Wilson
- Country:
- India
- Region:
- Asia
-
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- DEL/VIDP
- Country:
- India
- CEO:
- Videh Kumar Jaipuriar
- Passenger Count :
- 28,500,545 (2020)
- Runways :
- 09/27 - 2,813m (9,229ft) | 10/28 - 3,810m (12,500ft) | 11R/29L - 4,430m (14,534ft) | 11L/29R - 4,400m (14,436ft)
- Terminals:
- Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3
-
Mumbai Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- BOM/VABB
- Country:
- India
- Runways :
- 09/27 - 3,660m (12,000ft) | 14/32 - 2,990m (9,810ft)
- Terminals:
- Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | General Aviation Terminal
-
San Francisco International Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- SFO/KSFO
- Country:
- United States
- CEO:
- Ivar C. Satero
- Passenger Count :
- 16,427,801 (2020)
- Runways :
- 10L/28R - 3,618m (11,870ft) | 10R/28L - 3,469m (11,381ft) | 1R/19L - 2,637m (8,650ft) | 1L/19R - 2,332m (7,650ft)
- Terminals:
- Harvey Milk Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | International Terminal
