Air India Express reveals why flight to Jammu returned to Delhi without landing

Air India Express's Jammu-bound flight (IX2564) returned to Delhi as a precautionary measure, following a suspected GPS interference incident, on Monday, June 23. An alternative flight was organised to connect passengers to Jammu.

“We regret the inconvenience caused. Instances of GPS signal interference have been reported by operators while flying over certain sensitive regions,” Air India Express spokesperson told ANI.

Initial reports mentioned that the flight had to make a U-turn to Delhi due to a technical snag.

The diversion of the Air India flight on Monday, also marks the second disruption in flight of the airline in three days. On Saturday, June 21, a Patna bound flight was diverted due to adverse weather conditions.

Air India plane crash

The series of Air India Express flight diversions also comes days after the lethal Air India plane crash that claimed 270 lives, including those who were present on ground during the time of the incident. The airline has now temporarily grounded several widebody aircraft for enhanced safety checks, as directed by aviation watchdog DGCA.

Besides DNA test, metal rods, pins help in identifying crash victims

Bodies of the people onboard the ill-fated flight were either charred beyond recognition, or were severely damaged, requiring forensic teams to carry out DNA tests to identify the crash victims.

Officials on Sunday said 251 victims have been identified through DNA tests so far, and 245 bodies have been handed over to families.

Apart from the DNA tests, an unexpected detail of surgical implants like metal rods, plates, and pins also aided the doctors at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital in identifying the bodies — a doctor told PTI.

Plane wreckage to be in custody of AAIB

The Gujarat police on Sunday started shifting the wreckage of AI171 flight.

The wreckage was being moved from the crash site to GUJSAIL (Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited) building, which is in the airport premises, and will be in custody of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), an official said.