Air India pilots flies wrong Aircraft to Canada without clearance, returns mid-Air
Air India faced yet another operational lapse when a Vancouver-bound flight had to return to Delhi after being airborne for several hours, sources said, because the aircraft deployed did not have the necessary approvals for international operation.
The flight, operated with a Boeing 777-200 LR, was in the air for over seven hours before turning back while crossing Chinese airspace. Officials indicated that the aircraft was not listed for flights to Canada, highlighting a procedural oversight in updating the airline’s records and operational clearances. In a statement, Air India reassured passengers: Air India flight AI185, operating from Delhi to Vancouver on 19 March, returned to Delhi due to an operational issue and in line with standard operating procedures. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident.
Air India apologizes for the flight disruption. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen situation. Our ground teams in Delhi provided full assistance, including hotel accommodations where required, and worked diligently to ensure passengers could continue their journey as quickly as possible. The flight departed this morning for Vancouver with all passengers on board.
Sources said the flight should have been operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER, which holds the required international approvals.
The lapse has triggered an internal review, as multiple approvals are required for flights to foreign destinations, and any discrepancy can affect aviation compliance.
Passengers were accommodated after the return, and the flight successfully departed for Vancouver the following morning.
Aviation experts stressed that while incidents like these are rare, precautionary returns underscore the airline’s priority on passenger safety over schedules.
This incident marks another challenge for Air India, following a previous mid-air return due to an aircraft approval issue, raising concerns about operational oversight amid the airline’s growing fleet and expanding global routes.
