An Air India flight from London to New Delhi was forced to make an unexpected U-turn shortly after takeoff due to a technical malfunction, causing significant delays for passengers.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI161, departed from London Heathrow at approximately 9:30 PM on Tuesday but had to return less than an hour into the journey after pilots detected an unspecified technical issue.
Passengers Left in Limbo
Passengers reported being kept on the plane for nearly four hours after landing back at Heathrow while engineers assessed the problem. Air India later arranged for a replacement aircraft, which finally departed around 5:30 AM the following morning.
"We were just told there was a technical problem and we needed to return," said one frustrated passenger. "The communication could have been much better."
Air India's Response
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: "Flight AI161 from London to Delhi returned to Heathrow due to a minor technical issue. The safety of our passengers is always our top priority. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers."
The airline has not disclosed the specific nature of the technical fault, though such incidents are not uncommon in modern aviation. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has experienced various technical issues since its introduction, though it remains one of the most advanced commercial aircraft in service.
Compensation Questions
Affected passengers may be entitled to compensation under EU air passenger rights regulations, despite Brexit, as the flight originated in the UK. Air India has stated it is processing claims on a case-by-case basis.
This incident comes at a challenging time for Air India, which is undergoing a major transformation under its new ownership by Tata Group, aiming to improve both its fleet and service standards.
