NEW DELHI, Mar 10: Air India, in a statement, on Monday said the flushed polythene bags, rags, and clothes had clogged the toilet and led it “to become unserviceable” in the Chicago-Delhi Flight, forcing it to return back.
“We are aware of some social media posts about the unserviceable lavatories on AI126 operating Chicago to Delhi on 05 March 2025 that caused the flight’s diversion back to its origin, Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” said Air India in its statement.
“We would like to confirm that as part of our investigation into the incident, our teams found polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and stuck in the plumbing. This led the lavatories to become unserviceable. We fully empathise with passengers who faced discomfort and whose travel plans have been affected by the flight’s diversion,” said the airline.
The passengers on-board Air India Flight AI126 were forced to return to Chicago, United States after a 10-hour journey because some of its lavatories were clogged. The airline, while confirming the return of the flight to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, said that the plane faced a “technical issue.” It further confirmed that all passengers and crew had been de-boarded normally.
The flight had a capacity of 342 passengers, which included 303 economy seats. The airline said the passengers were also offered full refunds on cancellations and complimentary rescheduling. Air India said that eight of the 12 toilets had “become unserviceable” nearly an hour and forty-five minutes after the plane took off because of flushed polythene bags, rags, and clothes.
“By this time, the aircraft was overflying the Atlantic, leaving points in Europe as potential cities to divert to. However, due to restrictions on night operations at most of the European airports, it was decided to divert back to Chicago. The decision to divert was taken entirely in the interest of passenger comfort and safety,” the airline said in the statement.
It added that all passengers were provided immediate assistance, which included alternative flight options and hotel accommodation. “While not found on AI126 of 05 March 2025, our teams have previously also found objects such as blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste, having been flushed down the toilets on other flights,” the airline added.
(Manas Dasgupta)
