Air India flight to New York recalled due to medical emergency

An Air India flight to New York was on Saturday recalled to IGI airport here due to medical emergency onboard, after being airborne for about two-and-half hours. The commander of Air India flight AI-101, which took off from Indira Gandhi international Airport here for New York at 1.56 am today, landed back at 5.00 am after a passenger onboard the flight complained of breathing problem, Air India said in a statement.

"The Boeing B777 long haul non-stop flight departed from Delhi with 327 passengers onboard. However, soon a passenger onboard complained of breathlessness and was in need of urgent medical attention. "Showing a high degree of sensitivity, commander Zoya Agarwal decided to return to Delhi so that the passenger gets timely medical assistance," the statement said.

Subsequently, the flight touched down at Delhi Airport at 5 am and the passenger was immediately rushed to hospital on arrival, it said adding, his condition is stable now. 

Later, the flight took off for its destination, the statement added.