Air India Flight Returns to Delhi Due to Technical Malfunction

An Air India flight, AIC 887, made an emergency return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a serious technical malfunction involving the right engine. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked without injuries. This incident follows another recent cancellation of an Air India Express flight due to engine issues. The airline has assured that passenger safety remains its top priority and has provided assistance to those affected by the situation. Read on for more details about the incident and the airline's response.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 22, 2025, 10:55 IST

Air India Flight AIC 887 Returns After Serious Technical Issue

An Air India Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (VT-ALS), operating flight AIC 887 from Delhi to Mumbai, made an emergency return to Delhi on Monday, December 22, due to a "serious malfunction." The airline reported that the flight turned back shortly after takeoff in accordance with standard operating procedures due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, allowing passengers and crew to disembark without incident. Initially, sources indicated that the right engine was shut down mid-air. Subsequently, a full emergency was declared for the flight at 6:40 AM.

Flight Details and Engine Issues

The flight AI887, operated by a Boeing 777-337 ER, departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 3:20 AM. The pilots noticed unusually low oil pressure in the right engine, identified as engine number 2. The oil pressure eventually dropped to zero, prompting the initiation of standard emergency protocols and a decision to return to base. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi Airport, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally, with no injuries reported.

Technical Malfunction Detected in Flight

Air India confirmed that following an engine parameter warning, the flight crew acted according to established safety protocols. A spokesperson for Air India stated, "The crew operating flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai decided to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a technical malfunction, in accordance with standard operating procedures. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and passengers and crew have disembarked."

Passenger Assistance and Alternative Arrangements

The airline mentioned that its ground staff at Delhi Airport provided immediate assistance to affected passengers and arranged alternative transportation to Mumbai. The spokesperson added, "Air India sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this unexpected situation. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew are our top priority."

Incident Follows Another Technical Issue

This incident occurred just days after an Air India Express flight to Visakhapatnam was canceled on the night of December 18 due to a technical issue related to the engine discovered before takeoff. The flight had several high-profile passengers, including former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra Pradesh's Agriculture Minister K. Achannaidu, and senior YSRCP leader B. Satyanarayana. According to the director of Vijayawada Airport, Lakshmikant Reddy, the problem arose during taxiing, forcing the aircraft to return to the bay around 8:30 PM.

A spokesperson for Air India Express stated that the engine issue was identified before takeoff, leading to the flight's cancellation for safety reasons. Passengers were offered hotel accommodations, along with options for full refunds or free rescheduling.

While both Air India and Air India Express reiterated that these decisions were made with safety in mind, the series of incidents has raised concerns about aircraft maintenance and operational checks during the busy travel season.