NEW DELHI, India, Jan 17: An Air India Airbus A350 suffered engine damage after a cargo container was sucked into its engine while taxiing at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, authorities said.

No injuries were reported among the approximately 240 passengers and six to eight crew members on board. The aircraft, bound for New York, had returned to Delhi shortly after take-off on Thursday after Iran temporarily closed its airspace, forcing airlines to reroute flights.

The incident occurred around 05:25 local time (23:55 GMT Wednesday) as the plane was taxiing to a parking bay in dense fog. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said the container had accidentally fallen from a ground vehicle onto the taxiway. An Air India spokesperson added that the wheel of the luggage cart carrying the container detached, leaving the cargo behind, which was then ingested by the aircraft’s right engine.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said metal debris was cleared from the taxiway, and the aircraft was towed to a designated stand. Photos released by the DGCA showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades.

The DGCA has launched a detailed investigation into the incident, which adds to scrutiny over ground safety at India’s busy airports. In June last year, the regulator flagged significant safety lapses at major Indian airports and airlines, including faded runway markings, faulty simulator training, crew fatigue, inadequate maintenance, and unauthorized cockpit access.

Air India said the grounding could cause "potential disruptions on select A350 routes." The airline operates six A350 aircraft on long-haul routes, including London and New York services, but has not specified which flights might be affected.