New Delhi, March 20: A logistical error involving aircraft variants led to an Air India flight making a U-turn over China and returning to Delhi on Thursday. Flight AI185, which was scheduled to fly from the national capital to Vancouver, spent nearly seven hours in the air before landing back at its starting point. Sources declared that the airline accidentally dispatched a Boeing 777-200LR for the route, a version of the aircraft currently lacking the specific regulatory mandate required by Canadian authorities.
The flight reached Chinese airspace before operations control identified the mismatch between the deployed aircraft and the fleet approved for Canadian shores. Tracking platforms showed the Boeing 777 reversing course and heading back to New Delhi, where it landed safely on Thursday night. Air India affirmed that the return was an “operational issue” handled through established safety protocols, and all passengers disembarked without further incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, the airline expressed regret for the significant inconvenience caused to its guests. Ground teams in Delhi provided necessary assistance, including hotel stays, while the airline arranged for a replacement Boeing 777-300ER—the variant that holds the proper clearance—to complete the journey. The rescheduled flight left for Vancouver on Friday morning with all passengers on board.
This development comes as Air India continues to expand its international footprint amid a surge in travel demand. Aviation experts noted that such administrative lapses are rare but costly, especially given current fuel prices and the logistical complexity of long-haul routes. The airline maintained that it remains committed to following international civil aviation guidelines and has since resumed its regular schedule to Canada.
