An Air India flight bound for Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam was forced to return mid-air on Thursday, June 19, after the aircraft developed a technical snag, the airline said. The flight, AI388, had departed from Delhi but turned back as a “precautionary measure,” ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.

The Airbus A320neo aircraft took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1:45 pm—45 minutes behind its scheduled departure. However, shortly after take-off, the crew identified a technical issue, prompting an in-flight turnaround. The aircraft landed safely back in Delhi, and all passengers were safely disembarked.

According to live flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the plane reversed course after covering a portion of its journey across northern India. Sources confirmed that over 130 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.

In its official statement, Air India confirmed that all safety protocols were followed, and reassured that passenger well-being remains its top priority. “A replacement aircraft with a fresh crew has been arranged to operate the flight to Ho Chi Minh City,” the airline added. However, no specific departure time for the resumed flight was mentioned.

This incident comes amid broader scrutiny on mid-air turnbacks and technical snags involving commercial carriers. Aviation safety experts often note that while such occurrences are not uncommon, transparent communication and swift contingency planning are crucial to maintaining passenger trust.

Owned by the Tata Group, Air India is currently undergoing a significant operational revamp, including improvements in fleet management and service delivery. The airline has reiterated its commitment to strict adherence to safety norms and regulatory guidelines.

Passengers affected by the delay were offered assistance and refreshments at the airport while awaiting their onward journey.

(With inputs from PTI)