SAN FRANCISCO- Cockroaches were found on Air India’s (AI) flight AI 180 from San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM), with a scheduled stop in Kolkata (CCU), prompting an internal investigation by the airline.
The insects were spotted after landing in Kolkata, and Air India promptly relocated affected passengers and carried out deep cleaning before continuing the flight to Mumbai.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India In-Flight Cockroaches
Two passengers aboard Air India flight AI180 from San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM), which had a scheduled fuel stop in Kolkata (CCU), reported seeing cockroaches in their cabin section after the aircraft landed in Kolkata.
In response, the cabin crew moved the passengers to nearby seats within the same cabin and informed ground personnel.
Air India stated that the aircraft was immediately subjected to deep cleaning during the Kolkata layover.
The flight later resumed and landed in Mumbai on time, with no delays or further reported issues.
The airline acknowledged the incident as “unfortunate” and apologized to the affected passengers.
It added that routine fumigation of aircraft is standard practice, but insects may still enter during ground handling operations.
The airline has initiated an investigation to determine the entry point of the pests and to prevent future occurrences.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)In-Flight Hygiene Concerns
While the incident did not affect the flight schedule, it has raised broader concerns about hygiene and pest control standards in long-haul international flights.
Refueling stops and long ground handling periods, especially at intermediate airports, increase the likelihood of pest infiltration.
Air India noted that despite routine preventive measures, the risk of pests entering through open doors or cargo holds during ground operations remains a challenge.
The airline has committed to reviewing its pest control protocols and enhancing oversight during layovers to avoid similar incidents.
Air India Response
Though only two passengers were directly affected, such occurrences can damage customer confidence in safety and cleanliness, particularly on ultra long haul routes.
Air India’s swift action in relocating passengers, deep cleaning, and continuing the flight on time shows operational efficiency but also reveals gaps in ground-level biosecurity practices.
Air India’s investigation aims to identify specific failings and implement improved pest control methods. The airline has not disclosed the timeline for the completion of this internal probe.
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