New Delhi: A Singapore-bound Air India flight was forced to return to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport shortly after takeoff on Wednesday due to a suspected technical issue, reportedly linked to an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fire warning. The incident, which occurred on flight AI 2380, prompted a precautionary landing, with all passengers and crew returning safely.

According to an official statement from Air India, the operating crew of AI 2380, flying from Delhi to Singapore on January 14, decided to return to the airport as a precaution following indications of a technical problem. “The aircraft landed safely in Delhi. Our ground teams extended all necessary assistance to passengers, and the flight subsequently departed for Singapore on an alternative aircraft. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain top priority,” the spokesperson added.

While Air India did not explicitly confirm the APU fire warning, sources cited by news agencies, including PTI, indicated that the alert triggered the aircraft’s return after being airborne for roughly an hour. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com confirmed that the Boeing 787-9 aircraft, operating the service, had been in the air for about an hour and landed back at Delhi around 1 am on Thursday.

The Auxiliary Power Unit is a critical component that provides energy for onboard systems when the engines are not running and also assists in engine start-up. While fire warnings in APUs are rare, they are taken extremely seriously due to the potential risks involved, prompting immediate precautionary measures, as in this case.

Passengers on board the flight reportedly remained calm during the diversion. Ground staff at Delhi IGI Airport assisted with disembarkation and arrangements for an alternative aircraft to continue the journey to Singapore. Air India has assured that all necessary checks and technical verifications were carried out before the replacement flight’s departure.

In a separate, unrelated incident at Delhi airport, another Air India aircraft, an Airbus A350, sustained engine damage when a container was reportedly sucked into one of its engines while on the tarmac. A video circulated online showing the aircraft surrounded by ground staff, with visible damage to the engine. Air India has yet to issue an official statement regarding this incident.

These incidents underscore the importance of stringent safety protocols and the rapid response capabilities of airlines and airport operations teams in addressing technical anomalies. Air India officials emphasized that both events highlight the airline’s commitment to passenger safety and operational diligence.

No injuries were reported in either case, and the airline confirmed that regular flights have resumed following technical inspections. Aviation experts noted that precautionary returns due to technical alerts, such as fire warnings in the APU, are a standard safety procedure and reflect the crew’s adherence to aviation safety protocols.

Passengers on AI 2380 who experienced the return flight were provided assistance, including alternative travel arrangements and support services. Airline authorities stated that they would continue to monitor and investigate the technical alert to prevent recurrence and maintain high safety standards across the fleet.

Air India operates several long-haul flights from Delhi to Southeast Asia, and incidents of this nature, though rare, are addressed with priority to maintain operational reliability and passenger confidence. Aviation analysts noted that the Boeing 787-9 is equipped with multiple redundancies and safety features, which allowed the crew to handle the situation effectively without endangering passengers or the aircraft.

The airline has reassured travelers that all precautionary measures and maintenance protocols are being reviewed and strengthened, reinforcing its position that safety remains the topmost priority in every aspect of flight operations.