They were supposed to be the key to changing Air India’s fortunes. However, the three Boeing 787 Dreamliners that the national carrier bought have been grounded at Delhi’s IndiraGandhi International Airport since Sunday evening owing to technical problems causing the beleaguered carrier further losses.

Top sources within the airline described the error as the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) not responding for operation clearance. Explaining the problem, a top Air India official on the condition of anonymity said, “For any aircraft to be cleared for operations, the MEL is required. The three aircraft were grounded as the MEL did not respond.”