Air India Flight to London Returns to Delhi on Technical Issue

An Air India flight bound for London Heathrow from New Delhi returned to the Indian capital on Thursday after encountering a suspected technical issue mid-flight, marking the second such problem for the aircraft in recent weeks.

Flight AI111, an Airbus A350-900 with registration VT-JRF, departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport around 6 a.m. carrying an undisclosed number of passengers. The plane flew for approximately four hours before the crew decided to turn back as a precaution while over Saudi Arabian airspace. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft had covered more than 3,000 kilometers before the U-turn, resulting in nearly seven hours airborne before landing safely back in New Delhi at about 12:30 p.m.

Sources familiar with the matter reported that unusual noises were heard onboard, prompting the diversion. An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the flight made a precautionary return following the suspected technical issue. "The aircraft landed safely and, consistent with Air India's high safety standards, it is currently subject to extensive technical evaluations, which will require additional time to complete," the...