Air India Flight to San Francisco Returns to Delhi Mid-Air

• Air India flight AI173 returned to Delhi after technical issue
• Aircraft was carrying 230 passengers to San Francisco
• Plane remained airborne for over eight hours before landing safely
• Airline arranging alternate travel, hotels and refreshments for passengers

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th May: An Air India flight bound for San Francisco returned to Delhi on Tuesday after experiencing a technical issue mid-air, the airline said.

Flight AI173, carrying 230 passengers, had been airborne for more than eight hours before safely landing back at Delhi airport. According to reports, the aircraft began diverting towards Delhi after flying for over three hours while passing through Chinese airspace.

In a statement, Air India said the flight returned to Delhi “due to a technical issue in accordance with the laid down procedures.”

“The aircraft landed safely and will undergo technical inspection in line with Air India’s safety standards,” the airline said.

The airline stressed that passenger and crew safety remained its “highest priority” and said alternative arrangements were being made to transport passengers to San Francisco at the earliest.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers and are making alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination as soon as possible,” the airline stated.

Air India added that ground teams were providing necessary assistance to affected passengers, including refreshments, hotel accommodation and rescheduling options.

The latest incident comes days after another Air India aircraft operating from Bengaluru to Delhi reported an engine fire indication during landing on May 21.

The airline had then confirmed that the cockpit crew of Flight AI2802 followed standard operating procedures after receiving a fire alert from one of the engines during final approach into Delhi. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.