An Air India aircraft headed for London Heathrow had to reverse course and return to Delhi on Thursday after a possible technical problem was detected while airborne. The flight, numbered AI111, departed in the early hours but did not complete its scheduled journey.
The plane took off at about 06:00 AM. It remained airborne for several hours before landing safely in Delhi at around 12:30 PM.
The airline said the crew decided to return as a precautionary measure. They made this decision after identifying a potential issue during the flight. It reiterated that ensuring passenger safety is its foremost concern.
After landing, the aircraft was taken out of service for extensive technical evaluation. Maintenance teams are currently investigating the suspected fault, and further action will depend on the outcome of these checks.
The airline indicated that the inspection process may require some time.
Air India apologised for the disruption caused to travellers and assured that it is making necessary arrangements to help passengers reach London as soon as possible. The airline is coordinating alternatives to minimise inconvenience.
This incident follows a similar occurrence last week involving an Air India flight to Vancouver that had to return to Delhi due to regulatory approval issues concerning the aircraft model. That episode also resulted in delays for passengers.
Officials have not yet disclosed the exact nature of the technical problem. Additional details are likely to emerge once the ongoing inspections are completed.
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