Pioneer in short

AI Delhi-SFO flight diverts midair

Air India’s Delhi-San Francisco flight returned to the national Capital on Wednesday after remaining airborne for nearly nine hours due to a technical snag in its traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS). The Boeing 777 aircraft, carrying around 230 passengers, took off from Delhi at 3.09 am and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly after noon. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft turned back after flying for over three hours through Chinese airspace.

Air India said the flight returned “in accordance with laid down procedures” and the aircraft would undergo technical inspection. The airline added that passengers were being provided refreshments, hotel accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. The unscheduled return is expected to add to the airline’s mounting operational costs, with a B777 consuming an estimated 8-9 tonnes of fuel an hour amid soaring jet fuel prices.

Separately, Air India announced a temporary 22 per cent reduction in domestic operations between June and August 2026, citing high fuel costs. The move follows an earlier 27 per cent cut in international services due to rising operational expenses and airspace restrictions. The reduction could affect more than 790 weekly domestic flights.