Fire at Mumbai airport Terminal 1: Short circuit suspected; here’s what we know

A fire incident at Terminal 1 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on April 9 and a mid-air engine failure involving an Air India Mumbai–Bengaluru flight AI 2812 earlier in the day have brought aviation safety into focus. While authorities confirmed no injuries in either case, emergency protocols were activated in both incidents.

Fire at Mumbai airport Terminal 1

According to official updates, a fire broke out at the ground floor of Terminal 1 at around 6.35 pm on April 9. The incident was reported from 1B Circle, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Santacruz East.

The fire was confined to the ground floor of a ground-plus-three-storey structure, and emergency response teams were immediately mobilised. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) declared it a Level I (LI) fire at 7.05 pm, indicating a moderate-level incident.

Multiple agencies, including the fire brigade, police and BMC ward staff, were deployed to the site.

Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported, and firefighting operations were ongoing as of the latest update at 7.17 pm.

Air India AI 2812 incident

Earlier the same day, an Air India flight AI 2812, operated by an A320 Neo aircraft, faced a technical issue shortly after take-off from Mumbai.

The flight, scheduled to depart at 2.05 am, took off at around 2.15 am. Soon after departure, one of its engines — identified as engine 2 — stalled mid-air.

Pilots issued a “PAN PAN” call, an internationally recognised urgency signal used in aviation for situations that require immediate attention but are not life-threatening emergencies.

What is a ‘PAN PAN’ call?

A “PAN PAN” call is used when an aircraft encounters a technical issue that needs priority handling but does not pose immediate danger to life or aircraft integrity.

In this case, aviation officials indicated that the crew followed standard operating procedures, maintaining control of the aircraft while initiating precautionary measures.

Air India’s response

Air India said the aircraft returned to Mumbai as a precaution due to a suspected technical issue.

“Flight AI2812 from Mumbai to Bengaluru on April 9 returned shortly after take-off in accordance with standard operating procedures. The aircraft is undergoing detailed technical checks,” the airline said.

The airline added that passengers were assisted at the airport and an alternate aircraft was arranged, which departed at around 4.45 am.