Passengers onboard an Air India flight to London faced an anxious journey after the aircraft was forced to return to Delhi mid-air due to a suspected technical snag. The flight, AI111, had taken off from the national capital early in the morning but had to make a precautionary return after being airborne for several hours.

Flight turns back after suspected technical issue

According to NDTV, the aircraft developed a technical issue during the journey, prompting the crew to decide on line with safety protocols. The plane landed safely back in Delhi, with officials stating that it would now undergo detailed technical checks before being cleared for further operations.

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Aircraft had earlier faced a similar issue

The aircraft involved, an Airbus A350-900 (VT-JRF), had reportedly encountered a technical problem earlier this month as well. During a previous flight from New York to Delhi on March 15, it had to be diverted to Shannon in Ireland following a snag. Sources said that unusual noises were heard during the latest flight, which led to the diversion decision while the aircraft was in Saudi Arabian airspace. The flight had been in the air for around four hours when the decision was taken and, in total, remained airborne for nearly seven hours before landing back in Delhi around 12:30 pm. Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and said it was making efforts to ensure they could continue their journey to London at the earliest.

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The incident once again highlights the importance of strict safety protocols in aviation, where precaution takes priority over schedules. While the safe landing ensured no harm to passengers, repeated technical concerns involving the same aircraft may invite closer scrutiny in the coming days.