Moscow-bound Air India flight develops technical snag mid-air, called back to Delhi

An Air India flight en route Moscow from Delhi to bring stranded passengers was forced to return back to Delhi on Saturday after it developed some technical problem mid-air.

The incident occurred 2-3 hours after it took-off from Delhi airport and developed some technical snag after which, it was called back by the ground staff.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the same or another aircraft will be deployed for ferrying the passengers.

"Air India flight which is scheduled to take 143 passengers from Moscow to Jaipur today developed some technical problem mid-air after 2-3 hours of take-off from Delhi and is heading back to Delhi. The same or another aircraft will come back. Delay of several hours is expected," the ministry said.

Air India is yet to confirm details about the incident.

The flight was part of the 'Vande Bharat Mission', a repatriation exercise meant to bring back Indians who are stranded in foreign nations due to the coronavirus pandemic.