Air India plane on way to US makes emergency landing in Russia after engine problem

The incident comes amid a debate over use of Russian airspace, and the potential dangers of an aircraft being forced to land in Russia with Americans on board

Air India says the 216 passengers and 16 crew will stay in local hotels, and another plane will be sent to pick them up

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Published: 2:56am, 7 Jun 2023Updated: 3:22am, 7 Jun 2023

An Air India plane flying from Delhi to San Francisco was forced to divert and land at an airport in Russia’s Far East after it developed a technical issue with one of its engines, the airline said on Tuesday.

The diversion of the Boeing 777 widebody aircraft comes amid a global debate over the use of Russian airspace by some carriers, with the chief of United Airlines warning on Monday of the dangers of a plane being forced to land in Russia with American citizens on board.

The 216 passengers and 16 crew onboard were being offered support on the ground and accommodated in local hotels for the night, Air India said.

US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel Tuesday said it is “likely” there are Americans onboard given its planned destination. “We are aware of a US-bound flight that had to make an emergency landing in Russia and are continuing to monitor that situation closely,” Patel said.

The airline said it planned to send a plane on Wednesday to pick them up and fly them to their original destination. “The authorities are extending all cooperation in our effort to ensure that passengers safely reach their destination at the earliest,” it said.

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