Overview
- AI111, the Delhi–London service, turned back Thursday after about four hours over Middle Eastern airspace and landed safely in Delhi after nearly seven hours aloft.
- Flight crew reported unusual noise and vibration, prompting a precautionary return even as cockpit instruments showed normal readings, the airline said.
- The aircraft is grounded in Delhi for extensive checks, and India’s aviation regulator DGCA has opened an investigation through its airworthiness and air safety teams.
- The same A350-900 (registration VT-JRF) diverted to Shannon on March 15 during a New York–Delhi trip, was inspected with Airbus support, then flew about ten sectors before the issue recurred.
- Air India provided refreshments, hotel stays and rebooking for passengers, and pilot and safety groups urged tighter oversight of maintenance as trackers placed the Thursday turnaround near Saudi or Omani airspace.