BENGALURU- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) diverted Flight AI133 from Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow (LHR) to Jeddah (JED) on March 23, 2026, after a suspected technical issue.
The Boeing 787 aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew were confirmed secure following the precautionary diversion, HT reported.
Air India Flight Diverted to Jeddah
Air India confirmed that Flight AI133, scheduled to operate from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), was diverted mid-air to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (JED) due to a suspected technical issue.
The airline stated that the diversion was carried out as a precautionary measure in line with established safety protocols. The aircraft landed safely in Jeddah at 1958 hrs IST, with no reported injuries among passengers or crew.
The flight AI 133 was operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANI. Further, it is a 13-year-old aircraft powered by two GEnX engines.
Following the diversion, the aircraft has been grounded in Jeddah for a comprehensive technical inspection. Air India noted that such inspections are standard procedure when a potential technical concern is identified during flight operations.
The airline emphasized that the decision to divert was taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure operational safety. Engineering teams are currently assessing the aircraft before any further deployment.
Air India is working closely with airport authorities in Jeddah and local agencies to manage the situation. The airline is providing necessary assistance to passengers, including support for onward travel arrangements.
Similar Incident
A similar diversion took place a few days back as Air India (AI) diverted Flight AI116 from New York (JFK) to Mumbai (BOM) to Medina (MED) after a mid-air cargo fire warning.
The Boeing 777-300ER landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where checks confirmed the alert was false and all onboard remained safe.
Mid-Air Warning Triggers Precautionary Diversion
Air India Flight AI116, operating from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), was forced to divert after the cockpit indicated a potential fire in the aft cargo hold.
The flight crew followed standard aviation safety protocols, which require immediate action in case of any fire warning. After assessing the situation, pilots opted for a precautionary diversion to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Medina.
The aircraft landed without incident, and all emergency procedures were executed as per regulatory guidelines. Such alerts are treated with maximum urgency in commercial aviation to ensure passenger and crew safety at all times.
After landing in Medina, technical teams conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft. Air India later confirmed that no fire or related hazard was found, indicating the warning was false.
Despite the outcome, such systems are designed to prioritize caution. Even a suspected issue leads to immediate intervention to avoid any potential risk.
Passenger Handling and Onward Journey
Air India confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe following the diversion. The airline worked with local authorities in Medina to provide necessary assistance, including accommodation and travel support.
Efforts were made to resume the journey to Mumbai at the earliest possible time while maintaining operational safety standards.
The flight was operated by a 12-year-old Boeing 777-300ER, registered VT-AER and powered by GE90 engines.
After remaining on the ground in Medina for over four hours and thirty minutes, the aircraft departed and completed its journey to Mumbai without further issues.
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