New Delhi, India – March 20, 2026
Air India faced a major operational lapse after its Delhi–Vancouver flight AI185 was forced to return to the national capital nearly eight hours after takeoff, due to an aircraft clearance issue.
The long-haul flight had departed from Delhi at 11:34 AM on Thursday and initially proceeded on its scheduled route toward Canada.
Aircraft Approval Error Forces Mid-Air Return
The issue came to light around four hours into the journey, when the aircraft was approaching Chinese airspace near Kunming. It was then discovered that the aircraft deployed for the route did not have the required regulatory clearance to operate in Canada.
As a result, the flight was instructed to return to Delhi. After spending approximately 7 hours and 54 minutes in the air, the aircraft landed safely back at its origin.
Wrong Aircraft Model Used for Route
The aircraft used for the flight was a Boeing 777-200LR, while Air India is currently permitted to operate only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet on Canada routes.
Aviation regulations vary by country, with some approvals tied to specific aircraft models or even individual aircraft tail numbers. The mismatch led to the operational disruption.
Safe Landing, Passengers Assisted
The aircraft landed safely in Delhi at around 7:19 PM, and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident.
In an official statement, Air India attributed the return to an “operational issue”, stating that the decision was taken in line with standard operating procedures.
The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and confirmed that ground staff assisted passengers, including providing hotel accommodations and arranging alternative travel.
Financial Impact and Operational Concerns
The incident is expected to have significant operational and financial implications, as a Boeing 777 typically consumes 8–9 tons of fuel per hour under normal conditions.
The airline confirmed that a replacement flight departed the following day with all affected passengers onboard.
