New Delhi: A full emergency was declared at Delhi airport on Wednesday night after smoke and a fire indication were reported in the engine of an Air India flight operating from Bengaluru to Delhi.
The incident involved flight AI2802, which was carrying 171 passengers from Bengaluru to Delhi when the cockpit crew reportedly detected a fire indication in one of the aircraft’s engines during the final approach into the national capital.
The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew members were evacuated without injuries, according to the airline.
Full emergency declared after landing
Sources said the incident occurred shortly after the aircraft landed at Delhi airport on May 21.
Following the pilot’s report of smoke and an engine fire indication, airport authorities immediately activated emergency response protocols and declared a full emergency.
The aircraft had landed on Runway 29, following which operations on Runway 29R were temporarily suspended to allow inspection and safety checks.
Emergency services, including fire and rescue teams, were deployed as a precaution while officials assessed the situation on the ground.
Airport authorities later resumed operations on Runway 29R at around 10:18 pm after receiving safety clearance.
All 171 passengers safe
According to officials, a total of 171 passengers were onboard the aircraft during the incident.
After the aircraft came to a halt, passengers and crew members safely disembarked from the plane.
The aircraft was subsequently towed away from the runway area while inspection procedures were carried out by technical and airport safety teams.
No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
Passengers were later assisted by airline and airport staff as authorities completed operational checks at the airport.
Air India confirms engine fire indication
In an official statement, Air India confirmed that the cockpit crew had received a fire warning from one of the aircraft’s engines during the flight’s final approach into Delhi.
The airline said the warning was later confirmed to be genuine.
“Air India confirms an incident involving Flight AI2802 operating from Bengaluru to Delhi on 21 May 2026. During the aircraft’s final approach into Delhi, the cockpit crew received a fire indication from one of the engines. The indication was subsequently confirmed as true,” the airline said.
The airline further stated that the crew followed all standard operating procedures before safely landing the aircraft.
“All passengers and crew are safe and have disembarked normally,” the statement added.
Investigation launched into incident
Air India said it has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident in coordination with relevant aviation and regulatory authorities.
The airline stated that further verified information would be shared once the investigation progresses.
“Air India is immediately initiating a full investigation into the cause of the incident in coordination with the relevant regulatory authorities,” the airline spokesperson said.
The carrier also reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority.
Technical experts are expected to inspect the affected aircraft to determine the exact cause of the engine fire indication and smoke alert.
Airport operations briefly affected
The emergency response and runway inspection temporarily affected airport operations in Delhi.
Runway movement was briefly restricted while authorities ensured the area was safe for continued flight operations.
Delhi airport authorities later restored normal runway operations after completing the required checks.
Aviation incidents involving engine warnings typically trigger immediate emergency protocols to ensure passenger safety and minimise operational risks.
Aviation safety under focus
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of emergency response systems and cockpit safety protocols in commercial aviation.
Experts note that modern aircraft are equipped with multiple warning systems designed to detect engine abnormalities early and allow pilots to respond quickly.
In this case, aviation officials said the crew’s adherence to standard operating procedures helped ensure a safe landing despite the emergency situation.
Authorities are expected to closely examine maintenance records, technical systems and engine performance data as part of the ongoing investigation.
For passengers onboard flight AI2802, the safe evacuation and quick response by airport emergency teams prevented the situation from escalating further.