AI126 from Chicago to Delhi returned to the U.S. city, and on the same day, the airline said the air return was due to technical issues.
A few days after Air India returned to Chicago (USA), Air India revealed that the incident occurred in an unusable restroom. The airline said its investigation found that polyethylene bags, rags and clothes had been washed down and trapped in pipes. Air India said in a detailed statement on the air return of AI126 on Monday that it had a flight of about an hour and 45 minutes, and staff reported that some toilets in commercial and economic class were unavailable. “There was then eight of the 12 bathrooms in the plane became incredible, which caused discomfort for everyone,” the statement said.
By this time the plane was crossing the Atlantic Ocean, leaving points in Europe, which are potential cities that can be transferred to. However, due to the restrictions on nighttime movements at most European airports, the decision was made to move back to Chicago, adding that the transfer decision was entirely for the comfort and safety of passengers. “We know of some social media posts about unusable restrooms on AI126 operating from Chicago to Delhi on March 5, 2025, which restored the flight’s transfer to its origins, Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
“We want to confirm that as part of the investigation into the incident, our team found polystyrene bags, rags and clothes that were washed down and stuck to the pipes. This made the bathroom incredible,” the statement said.
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What happened on March 6?
AI126 from Chicago to Delhi returned to the U.S. city, and on the same day, the airline said the air return was due to technical issues. Air India also urged passengers to use the toilet “for their purposes only” and mentioned that previously, its team had found objects such as blankets, interiors and diapers, as well as other waste, which were flushed into the toilet on other flights.
(This story has not been edited by DNA staff and published from PTI in addition to the title)
