An Air India Airbus A350-900 enroute from New York JFK Airport to Delhi made a precautionary diversion to Shannon Airport in Ireland early on March 16, 2026.

The diversion was made after passengers reported severe floorboard vibrations and an unexplained loud noise emanating from the aircraft’s belly section.

Air India flight AI102, operated by an Airbus A350-900 was roughly six hours into the ultra-long-haul journey when the incident took place.

Air India AI102 New York-Delhi

The aircraft was in cruising at approximately 33,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. Passengers in rows 32 to 34, near the rear of the cabin, were jolted awake shortly after the jet encountered turbulence.

Many described a constant rumbling and shaking that originated beneath their feet, possibly from the rear cargo hold. The vibrations reportedly spread forward and upward through the fuselage.

The noise grew increasingly intense, leaving passengers concerned and prompting immediate alerts to the cabin crew.

The pilots were unable to identify the source. After spending about 30 minutes troubleshooting by isolating various systems, they consulted maintenance control on the ground.

With the aircraft already nearing the Irish coast, they opted for a precautionary diversion. The aircraft, registered VT-JRF, is a relatively new A350-900. It was delivered to Air India 2.4 years ago after its original Aeroflot order was cancelled.

The flight landed safely on runway 24 Shannon Airport at approximately 4:30 am local time. All 240 passengers and crew, totalling around 300 people, disembarked unharmed.

Air India Statement

Air India’s spokesperson confirmed the move was made out of safety concerns. “Flight AI102, operating from New York (JFK) to Delhi on March 15, made a precautionary diversion to Shannon, Ireland, following a suspected technical issue,” the statement read.

“Consistent with Air India’s high safety standards, the aircraft is currently subject to extensive technical evaluations.”

Engineers and spare parts are being flown from Delhi to assist local teams, while the aircraft remains grounded pending clearance.

Passengers were provided meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation, and assistance with immigration and customs—critical given Air India’s limited operations in Ireland. Some required emergency visas to exit the airport.

The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and pledged to rebook travellers on the earliest available flights.

Conclusion

Speculation points to possible unsecured cargo or a loose panel, but no official cause has been determined.

The flagship wide-body, originally configured for another carrier and softly rebranded for Air India, continues to undergo detailed inspections in line with Airbus recommendations.

Updates on the aircraft’s return to service and passenger rescheduling are expected in the coming hours.