Fact Check: An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane, operating flight AI315, returned to Hong Kong on June 16, 2023, after the pilot suspected a technical issue mid-air.

Fact Check: Air India Flight AI315 Returns to Hong Kong Due to Technical Issue

What We Know

On June 16, 2023, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI315, which was en route from Hong Kong to New Delhi, had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. The flight departed at 12:16 PM and landed back in Hong Kong approximately one hour later, as confirmed by Flightradar24. An Air India spokesperson stated that the pilot raised concerns about a potential technical problem, although the airline had not yet verified the nature of the issue at the time of reporting. The spokesperson also mentioned that the airline was providing necessary assistance to passengers affected by this "unforeseen disruption" (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that flight AI315 returned to Hong Kong due to a suspected technical issue is supported by multiple credible sources. Sky News reported the incident, noting the aircraft type and the circumstances surrounding the return flight (source-2). The Economic Times and Times of India also corroborated this information, detailing the pilot's suspicion of a technical malfunction and confirming that the aircraft landed safely back in Hong Kong (source-3, source-4).

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on aviation incidents. However, it is important to note that the information regarding the specific technical issue was not disclosed at the time of reporting, which leaves some ambiguity about the severity of the situation. Nonetheless, the consensus among these sources indicates that the flight did indeed turn back due to the pilot's concerns, which aligns with standard aviation safety protocols where precautionary measures are taken in the event of suspected technical issues.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI315 returned to Hong Kong on June 16, 2023, after the pilot suspected a technical issue mid-air is accurate. Multiple reliable sources confirm that the flight was turned back as a precautionary measure, and all passengers were reported safe upon landing.

Sources

1. Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner turns around mid-flight after technical issue
2. Air India Dreamliner bound for Delhi returns to Hong Kong after technical snag
3. Air India Delhi bound flight returns to Hong Kong; technical snag suspected
4. Air India Boeing 787-8 from Hong Kong turned back after pilot reported technical issues mid-air
5. Air India Dreamliner returns to Hong Kong after technical issue