A long-distance flight operated by Air India had to head back to its origin after spending several hours in the air on March 19. Flight AI 185, which departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport for Vancouver, reversed course while flying over Chinese airspace and safely landed back in Delhi.

The airline stated that the decision to return was made as a precaution following an unspecified operational issue, in accordance with standard safety protocols. No injuries or onboard incidents were reported, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally after landing.

The aircraft used for the journey was a Boeing 777-200LR, which is not typically deployed on this route, where a different variant is usually used. While the exact cause behind the turnaround has not been disclosed, it is believed to be linked to operational or administrative factors.

Air India expressed regret over the disruption and said ground staff arranged assistance for affected travellers, including accommodation. The airline also ensured that passengers were rebooked and flown to their destination the following day.

Reaffirming its commitment to safety, the airline said all decisions were taken keeping passenger well-being as the top priority.