The Air India flight, AI173, was carrying around 230 passengers when the crew decided to turn the aircraft back as a precautionary measure. According to the airline, the plane remained airborne for more than eight hours before safely landing in Delhi.
Air India Confirms Technical Problem
In an official statement, Air India said the aircraft returned following a technical snag and all procedures were followed according to safety guidelines. The airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely in Delhi and will now undergo a detailed technical inspection. Air India also stressed that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
Flight Turned Back While Flying Over Chinese Airspace
Reports suggest the aircraft had already been flying for more than three hours and was passing through Chinese airspace when the issue was identified. After detecting the problem, the crew reportedly decided to divert the aircraft back to Delhi instead of continuing the long-haul journey to San Francisco. The airline has not yet shared detailed information about the exact nature of the technical fault.
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Passengers Offered Assistance
Air India said its ground staff are helping affected passengers with refreshments, hotel accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. Passengers were also given options for rescheduling their flights depending on their travel plans. The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused due to the unexpected return.
Another Air India Technical Incident Reported Earlier
The latest incident comes just days after another technical problem involving an Air India aircraft. On May 21, an flight operating from Bengaluru to Delhi reported an engine fire indication during its final approach.
The airline later confirmed that the cockpit crew followed all standard operating procedures and landed the aircraft safely at Delhi airport. All passengers and crew members were reported safe in that incident as well.
Safety Concerns Around Technical Issues
The back-to-back incidents have once again drawn attention to airline safety checks and aircraft maintenance procedures. Aviation experts often point out that modern aircraft are designed to handle technical warnings safely, and precautionary returns are standard practice when any issue is detected during flight operations.
Airlines usually conduct detailed inspections before aircraft are cleared for future flights after such incidents. For now, Air India has assured passengers that the San Francisco-bound aircraft will undergo complete technical checks before returning to service.
