Air India Delhi-San Francisco Flight Returns to Delhi after 8 hours

An Air India flight travelling from Delhi to San Francisco returned to the national capital on Tuesday after remaining airborne for more than eight hours due to a technical issue, the airline confirmed.

Flight AI173, carrying around 230 passengers, safely landed back in Delhi after the crew detected a technical snag during the journey.

According to reports, the aircraft had been flying for over three hours and was inside Chinese airspace when it began diverting back towards Delhi in line with standard safety procedures.

In an official statement, Air India said the aircraft returned “due to a technical issue in accordance with laid down procedures” and added that the plane landed safely.

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

The airline reiterated that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain its “highest priority”. Air India also said arrangements were being made to minimise inconvenience caused to travellers.

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

Ground staff provided passengers with assistance including refreshments, hotel accommodation and rescheduling options after the flight’s return to Delhi.

The incident comes days after another Air India flight from Bengaluru to Delhi reported an engine fire indication during its final approach at Delhi airport on May 21. In that case too, the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed technical inspection of the San Francisco-bound aircraft before it resumes operations.