Air India A350 Bound for London Returns to Delhi After Mid-Air Technical Snag
London bound flight makes precautionary return as airline initiates detailed safety checks
New Delhi, Mar 26: A London bound Air India A350 aircraft was forced to return to the national capital on Thursday after a suspected technical issue was detected mid flight, officials said.
Flight AI111, operating from Delhi to London Heathrow, made a precautionary air return following the detection of an anomaly while en route. The aircraft landed safely, adhering to standard safety protocols.
In an official statement, the airline said the aircraft is undergoing comprehensive technical inspections, which may take additional time to complete, underscoring its commitment to stringent safety standards.
Sources indicated that unusual sounds were noticed during the flight, prompting the decision to divert the aircraft. The plane had been airborne for several hours and was in foreign airspace when the crew opted to return as a precautionary measure.
The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that efforts are underway to arrange alternative travel so that flyers can reach their destination at the earliest.
Notably, the same A350-900 aircraft had earlier encountered a technical issue earlier this month during a separate international operation, raising fresh concerns about operational reliability.
Air India introduced the A350-900 into its fleet in early 2024 as part of its modernization efforts.
