On 22 July 2025, Air India flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after landing and parking at the gate. According to an official update from the airline on social media, the incident occurred as passengers were beginning to disembark. The aircraft involved was VT-TVG, an Airbus A321-251NX (LR), a long-range variant of the A321neo, and is approximately two years old. No injuries were reported.
The aircraft landed from Hong Kong at 12.12 p.m IST and was parked at a remote gate when this incident occurred.
According to a statement from Air India, “Flight AI315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 22 July 2025, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after it had landed and parked at the gate. The incident occurred while passengers had begun disembarking, and the APU was automatically shut down as per system design. There was some damage to the aircraft, however, passengers and crew members disembarked normally, and are safe. The aircraft has been grounded for further investigations and the regulator has been duly notified.”
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a small gas turbine engine located in the tail section of most commercial aircraft. It provides electrical and pneumatic power to onboard systems when the main engines are not running, typically during boarding, disembarkation, and ground operations. The APU powers cabin lighting, air conditioning, and avionics, and is also used to start the main engines.
While it is not used for propulsion, the APU is a critical system, and a fire can pose safety risks, especially if passengers are still onboard. Modern aircraft are equipped with automated fire detection and suppression systems to contain such incidents promptly.
In recent weeks, Air India has faced heightened scrutiny following a fatal Boeing 787‑8 crash near Ahmedabad on 12 June, which killed 260 people. That wave of concern was compounded by several incidents in the past few weeks, including yesterday’s runway skid of an A320 in Mumbai during heavy monsoon rains, resulting in burst tyres and engine damage (Read our coverage: Air India A320 Skids Off Wet Mumbai Runway, Aircraft Damaged, Passengers Safe).
Coupled with nine recent safety show‑cause notices from the DGCA, regulators and the public are watching Air India’s safety protocols more closely than ever. These developments underscore the urgency for the carrier to restore confidence, reinforcing the importance of its ongoing investigations and transparent communication.
Image: Representative image / Pexel /Shyam Mishra
💬 Join the conversation: We’d love to hear your take on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.
