Air India flight investigated over 'persistent warm temperature' in cabin

An Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi was diverted to Kolkata on Sunday (June 29), after a cabin temperature anomaly prompted the crew to take precautionary measures, the airline said in a statement. The flight, AI357, operated by a Boeing 787 aircraft, was en route from Haneda Airport in Tokyo when the crew reported "persistent warm temperature" in the cabin and opted for a diversion to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

"Air India flight AI357 operating from Haneda to Delhi on 29 June 2025 made a precautionary diversion to Kolkata due to persistent warm temperature experienced in the cabin," an Air India spokesperson said, according to the Hindustan Times. "The aircraft landed safely into Kolkata and is currently undergoing checks." Air India said ground staff were assisting passengers and alternative arrangements were being made in due course.

"Our ground colleagues in Kolkata are providing all necessary support to passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen diversion. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly our passengers to Delhi at the earliest. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers," the spokesperson added.

This diversion comes as the latest in a string of headaches for the airline. On Friday, a Chennai-bound Air India flight from Mumbai was forced to return to its origin airport after a burning smell was detected in the cabin, the airline said in a statement on Saturday. Flight AI639 made a precautionary air return to Mumbai on June 27 and landed safely.

"The crew of flight AI639 operating from Mumbai to Chennai on Friday, 27 June 2025, made a precautionary air return to Mumbai due to a burning smell in the cabin," the Air India spokesperson said, adding that following the landing, an aircraft change was initiated. "Our ground colleagues in Mumbai provided all necessary support to passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew remain top priority."

This all comes barely two weeks after the horrific Air India crash, which killed 260 people when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner slammed into a medical college shortly after takeoff on June 12. The flight reached just 625 feet before crashing 33 seconds after takeoff.

Both engines appeared to have lost power, an incredibly rare occurrence that experts have described as a "one in a billion event". Investigators are now probing whether the Air India crash was caused by sabotage.

"The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a full investigation. It is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage," said India's Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol. Although there has previously been speculation of potential sabotage, this is the first time officials have formally acknowledged it as a possible cause of the crash.