On Thursday, an Air India flight (AI183) traveling from Delhi to San Francisco made an unexpected detour to Krasnoyarsk International Airport (KJA) in Russia. The decision to divert was made after the cockpit crew detected a potential issue in the cargo hold area. The aircraft, carrying 225 passengers and 19 crew members, landed safely in Krasnoyarsk, with everyone onboard reported to be unharmed.
Air India’s website initially displayed a revised departure time for the flight to San Francisco from the Siberian city. However, the flight never took off. Instead, the airline announced that it was coordinating with government agencies and regulatory authorities to arrange a ferry flight to Krasnoyarsk, which would then fly onwards to San Francisco. This ferry flight is also expected to transport engineers who will work on the grounded aircraft (VT-ALG) and facilitate its return to India.
The airport’s Telegram channel reported that a replacement aircraft was scheduled to arrive at 1615 hours local time and depart for San Francisco at 1815 hours local time. The crew members have been accommodated in hotels, while passengers have been provided with food and drinks in the international departures lounge area.
This marks the second instance in 13 months where Air India has had to divert to a Russian airport. The previous incident occurred in June 2023, when a flight landed in Magadan, a much smaller town than Krasnoyarsk.
While diversions are not uncommon in aviation, occurring for various reasons such as medical emergencies, technical issues, weather conditions, airport closures, or security threats, the situation in Russia presents unique challenges. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022, sanctions have been imposed on Russia across various sectors, including aviation. Western carriers have stopped flying over Russian airspace, while a limited number of airlines, including Air India, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines, continue to utilize the Russian airspace, which offers a shorter and more cost-effective route for intercontinental flights.
The complexity arises when a diversion occurs. The sanctions make it challenging to arrange a relief flight, which would typically be the next available aircraft to transport the passengers. This requires the agreement of both the aircraft lessor and insurance providers, involving extensive paperwork and coordination to ensure compliance with sanctions and avoid jeopardizing their businesses.
Air India, despite being privatized, works closely with the Ministry of External Affairs in such situations, coordinating with Indian embassies abroad to expedite clearances, provide support, and seek assistance. While India has a significant diplomatic presence in Russia, Krasnoyarsk lacks an Indian consulate. The government plays a crucial role in facilitating clearances with lessors and local authorities.
The difference in accommodation arrangements for the crew and passengers is attributed to the crew’s General Declaration, which permits them to enter and exit countries while on duty without requiring a visa. This practice is standard in most parts of the world. However, passengers require diplomatic intervention, involving verification of nationalities and decisions by the host country on how to handle such situations.
The previous incident involving Air India’s diversion to Russia highlighted the importance of communication. In the past, it took two days to position the aircraft in Russia, while the current situation seems to be progressing faster. The airline has been criticized for its communication strategy during such disruptions, with passengers, relatives, the media, and the public seeking information. Clear and timely communication is essential to avoid rumors and misinformation.
While the immediate priority is to ensure the passengers reach San Francisco, Air India will need to address the challenges presented by the current situation. The airline’s approach to communication, passenger accommodation, and coordination with government agencies and international authorities will be under scrutiny as it navigates the complexities of operating in a world shaped by geopolitical tensions and sanctions.
