Air India Express Flight Returns to Cochin Due to Engine Oil Issue

An Air India Express flight from Cochin to Abu Dhabi returned to the airport after detecting a significant drop in engine oil quantity. The crew followed safety protocols, ensuring the aircraft landed safely. Passengers were later transferred to another flight. This incident follows a previous diversion due to a bomb threat on another Air India Express flight. The airline emphasizes the importance of safety and proper communication regarding such events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 7, 2026, 15:42 IST

Incident Overview

Representational Image

New Delhi, Sep 7: An Air India Express flight, which was en route from Cochin International Airport to Abu Dhabi, made a return to the Kerala airport as a precautionary measure after a technical issue was identified, the airline confirmed on Monday.

The Boeing 737 flight IX 415 was approximately 50 minutes into its flight at an altitude of 36,000 feet when the crew detected a rapid decrease in the oil quantity of Engine 1, as per reports.

According to a spokesperson for Air India Express, "Last week, one of our flights from Kochi to Abu Dhabi also had to turn back due to safety protocols."

Passengers were later accommodated on a different aircraft to continue their journey to Abu Dhabi, the airline stated.

The spokesperson further noted, "Reports discussing this incident without the appropriate context and timeline could unintentionally alarm our guests and the public."

Additionally, the pilots executed a FORDEC assessment, a systematic decision-making approach in aviation, and opted to return to Cochin as the oil levels continued to drop.

Sources indicated that the commander communicated with air traffic control via Mumbai Radio, and the aircraft altered its course back to Cochin. The crew kept a close watch on engine metrics and prepared for any potential emergencies.

Reports suggest that around 45 minutes after the decision to return, the oil pressure for Engine 1 began to fluctuate and fell into the red zone on the cockpit display, signaling a critical drop.

Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely at Cochin International Airport.

Passengers were subsequently transferred to an alternative flight to Abu Dhabi, as confirmed by the airline.

In a separate incident earlier in August, an Air India Express flight from Dammam to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad after a bomb threat was discovered in the aircraft's restroom. All forty passengers were safely evacuated and screened.

The Airport Police Station reported that the Operation Control Centre alerted authorities around 2:40 PM regarding the diversion of Air India Express flight IX-170, which was traveling from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Delhi.