Air India on Monday confirmed reports that its Delhi-bound flight from Chicago was forced to return to the US city after the majority of the 12 toilets on the plane became unserviceable.
In a media statement, the airline said that the lavatories became unserviceable after they were clogged with items such as polythene bags, clothes, and rags being flushed down the toilets.
The airline said that about an hour and forty-five minutes into the flight, the crew reported that eight of the 12 toilets (earlier reports pegged the number at 11) in economy and business class had become unserviceable.
It further stated that the decision to return to Chicago was taken as potential diversion points in Europe were under night-time operational restrictions.
“We are aware of some social media posts about the unserviceable lavatories on AI126 operating Chicago to Delhi on 05 March 2025 that caused the flight’s diversion back to its origin, Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” said Air India in a statement.
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‘Decision In the Interest Of Passengers‘
The airline claimed that the decision to return mid-air when the plane was above the Atlantic Ocean was taken in the “interest of passenger comfort and safety.”
“By this time, the aircraft was overflying the Atlantic, leaving points in Europe as potential cities to divert to. However, due to restrictions on night operations at most of the European airports, it was decided to divert back to Chicago,” read the statement released shortly after the incident made headlines.
The airline further claimed that the investigation teams also “found objects such as blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste” being flushed down the toilets on other flights. It urged the passengers “to use lavatories only for the purposes that they are meant for.”
