airline apology Archives - Aviation Today

Icelandair Probes Pilot After Unauthorised Low Flyover On Final Flight Pre-Retirement

Aviation Today News Desk / April 14, 2026

Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland: Iceland’s flag carrier Icelandair has launched an investigation after one of its senior pilots conducted an unauthorised low-altitude […]

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Cathay Pacific Airways flight CX449, bound for Hong Kong from Kaohsiung International Airport in Taiwan, was forced to return to its departure airport on Sunday morning after an engine system alert indicated a possible technical issue, airline and aviation sources confirmed. The Airbus A321neo, scheduled to depart at 7:45 am local time with about 200 passengers on board, took off as planned but turned back shortly after take-off when cockpit instruments showed an abnormal reading related to one of the engines. The aircraft landed safely back in Kaohsiung at around 8:26 am to 8:49 am under standard safety procedures, according to reports. Preliminary inspections by technical teams at Kaohsiung indicated that a lubricant (engine oil) leak in one engine likely caused the pressure anomaly and triggered the warning that prompted the turn-back. Maintenance crews estimated around two hours would be needed to clear any spilled oil and carry out targeted system checks before deciding on the aircraft’s next steps. Cathay Pacific described the incident only as a “technical issue” in its official comment, without confirming specific engine fault details in its public statement, while emphasising that safety considerations guided the decision to return. Taiwanese media reports also referenced the engine oil leak as the apparent cause. All passengers disembarked normally after the aircraft returned to Kaohsiung. Cathay Pacific ground staff assisted travellers by rebooking them onto alternative flights to Hong Kong later the same day. Ground teams reportedly provided meal vouchers and refreshments and worked to restore schedule stability by deploying aircraft with higher seating capacity where possible. The airline also issued an apology to affected customers and thanked them for their patience while disruptions were managed. The A321neo involved in the flight has been grounded at Kaohsiung while further detailed inspections and any necessary engineering work are carried out. Safety officials and airline engineers are continuing to examine the affected engine to determine the full technical cause of the pressure and oil leak anomaly. Cathay Pacific said the crew followed standard procedures in responding to the alert, underlining the airline’s commitment to operational safety.

Incidents

Cathay Pacific Flight A321neo Turns Back To Kaohsiung After Suspected Engine Oil Leak

Aviation Today News Desk / February 2, 2026

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Cathay Pacific Airways flight CX449, bound for Hong Kong from Kaohsiung International Airport in Taiwan, was forced to

New Delhi, India: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Ahmedabad made a precautionary return to the national capital shortly after take-off on Thursday after a smoke indication alert was triggered in the aircraft’s cargo hold. All passengers and crew were safely deboarded, and the alert was later confirmed to be false. The incident involved Flight AI2939, which departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport for Ahmedabad with around 170 people onboard. Moments after take-off, the cockpit crew received a smoke warning from the cargo compartment and immediately followed emergency safety procedures, aborting the climb and turning back to Delhi. The aircraft landed safely without any injuries or technical damage. Air India engineers conducted a detailed inspection after landing and found no trace of smoke or fire, confirming that the alert was a technical false indication. In an official statement, Air India said the flight crew acted strictly as per standard operating procedures and prioritised passenger safety. The airline arranged an alternate aircraft to ferry the affected passengers to Ahmedabad, resulting in a delay of approximately four hours. “Passenger safety is always our top priority. Our ground team ensured immediate assistance and alternative travel arrangements for all passengers,” an Air India spokesperson said, apologising for the inconvenience. A day before the Delhi-Ahmedabad Air India incident, an Air India Express flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad, IX 2884, was cancelled after being delayed for over four hours due to what the airline termed “unforeseen operational reasons.

Incidents

Air India Delhi–Ahmedabad Flight Returns After Smoke Alert, All Passengers Remain Safe

Aviation Today News Desk / November 28, 2025

New Delhi, India: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Ahmedabad made a precautionary return to the national capital

Christchurch, New Zealand: A Fiji Airways flight, FJ450, experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Christchurch Airport on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was en route to Nadi, Fiji, when it encountered the incident around 2:00 PM, Thursday. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported that the plane likely struck a substantial flock of birds. As a precaution, the flight crew initiated a holding pattern above Canterbury to burn fuel and reduce the aircraft's weight, ensuring a safe return to Christchurch. The plane landed safely at approximately 4:45 PM, with no injuries reported among the 170 passengers and crew on board. Fiji Airways confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe. The airline's engineering team conducted necessary inspections and maintenance checks on the aircraft. Reservations and customer care teams assisted affected passengers with new travel arrangements and onward connections. The airline apologized for the inconvenience and emphasized that safety remains its highest priority. Images from the incident show visible damage to the aircraft's nose cone, including a large dent that marks the severity of the bird strike. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that bird strikes are a recognized aviation risk, and flight crews are properly trained and equipped to handle them safely. Both the airline and the airport adhered to established safety protocols, and the CAA will coordinate with them to review the incident and determine any necessary follow-up actions.

Incidents

Fiji Airways Boeing 737 Hit By Birds After Takeoff, Lands Safely In Christchurch

Aviation Today News Desk / October 9, 2025

Christchurch, New Zealand: A Fiji Airways flight, FJ450, experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Christchurch Airport on Thursday,

airline apology

Icelandair Probes Pilot After Unauthorised Low Flyover On Final Flight Pre-Retirement

Cathay Pacific Flight A321neo Turns Back To Kaohsiung After Suspected Engine Oil Leak

Air India Delhi–Ahmedabad Flight Returns After Smoke Alert, All Passengers Remain Safe

Fiji Airways Boeing 737 Hit By Birds After Takeoff, Lands Safely In Christchurch

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