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US bound Air India flight diverts to Russia
A US bound Air India flight developed engine trouble and was forced to land in Russia.
It raises diplomatic issues over the stranded passengers as well as how the airline will fix and retrieve its plane due to sanctions.
The Boeing 777 plane was carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew and was forced to divert to Magadan, in the far east of Russia.
It was headed to San Francisco.
All passengers and crew are reportedly in hotels.
The airline said it is sending a replacement aircraft to Magadan for passengers to complete their journey.
This is likely due to a lack of spare parts due to the sanctions.
“The authorities are extending all cooperation in our effort to ensure that passengers safely reach their destination: Air India said.
The US State Department wouldn’t say if any US citizens were on the flight, although it is highly ‘likely.’
It was ‘monitoring the situation closely.’
Air India wouldn’t disclose any passenger details.
Just a day ago, United Airlines’ CEO Scott Kirby made a prophetic comment at the IATA airline industry AGM.
“When you fly over Russia, you use a Russian airport as a place to divert planes.”
“If there are mechanical or medical issues, you’re going to land in Russia.”
“What happens with some prominent US citizens on board? That is a potential crisis in the making,” Kirby said.
Neutral countries such as India allow their airlines to overfly Russian airspace.
Others include China and some Gulf nations.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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