An Air India flight bound for Mumbai was forced to make an emergency return to Delhi on Monday morning following a technical snag with one of its engines. The incident involved a Boeing 777 aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers.
Flight Makes Safe Return After Mid-Air Scare
The aircraft, operating as a Mumbai-bound service, took off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport as scheduled. However, nearly an hour into the flight, the pilots identified a problem with the plane's right engine. Following standard safety protocols, the decision was made to turn the aircraft around and head back to its origin.
The plane, carrying approximately 335 people, including passengers and crew members, safely executed an emergency landing at Delhi airport. Authorities confirmed that all individuals on board were safe and no injuries were reported during the incident, which occurred on 22 December 2025.
Emergency Protocols Swiftly Activated
Aviation sources stated that the crew handled the situation professionally, prioritizing passenger safety above all else. Upon receiving the alert from the pilots, air traffic control in Delhi cleared the airspace and runway to facilitate the aircraft's prompt and secure return.
Ground emergency services, including fire tenders and medical teams, were put on standby as a precautionary measure as the wide-body jet approached for landing. The successful landing brought a tense situation to a calm conclusion.
Passenger Care and Investigation Underway
After the aircraft landed, all passengers were safely deplaned. Air India officials are now tasked with making alternate travel arrangements for those affected by the disruption. The airline is expected to provide passengers with options for rebooking on other flights to Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the affected Boeing 777 has been moved to a remote bay for a thorough technical inspection by engineers. The primary focus of the investigation will be the right engine issue that prompted the mid-air return. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will likely review the incident as part of standard safety procedures.
This event highlights the robust safety mechanisms inherent in modern aviation, where pilots and ground crews are trained extensively to handle such technical anomalies without compromising passenger security.
