An Air India Airbus A321, registered as VT-TVG, experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU) shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Monday evening. The flight, which originated from Hong Kong, carried 174 passengers and crew, all of whom were safely evacuated with no reported injuries.
The incident occurred around 7:30 PM IST when the aircraft, after completing its journey, was taxiing to the gate. Ground crew noticed smoke emanating from the tail section, prompting an immediate response from airport fire services. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the aircraft was towed to a remote bay for further inspection. Preliminary investigations point to an APU malfunction as the likely cause, though a detailed probe by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is underway.
Air India issued a statement confirming the safety of all passengers and crew, emphasizing that the airline is cooperating fully with authorities to determine the cause. The airline also arranged alternative travel options for affected passengers.
This incident follows a series of recent aviation-related events in India. In May 2025, an IndiGo flight from Chennai to Mumbai made an emergency landing due to a suspected engine issue, with all passengers safe. Earlier in July, a SpiceJet aircraft in Kolkata experienced a minor technical glitch, leading to a brief delay. These incidents have raised concerns about aircraft maintenance and safety protocols, prompting the DGCA to tighten oversight.
The affected Air India aircraft remains grounded pending a thorough investigation, and the airline has assured passengers that safety remains its top priority.
