NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — An Air India flight from San Francisco to Delhi made a precautionary landing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after the crew reported a suspected technical issue midair, the airline said on Saturday. All passengers and crew members are safe.
The Delhi-bound flight AI174, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, took off from San Francisco at 2:47 p.m. on November 2. According to flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the plane landed safely in Ulaanbaatar at 7:40 p.m. local time after pilots detected a possible technical problem.
Air India said the landing was made as a precautionary measure. “The aircraft landed safely at Ulaanbaatar and is undergoing the necessary checks,” the airline said in a statement. “We are working closely with our partners to support all passengers while we make efforts to get everyone on their way to the destination at the earliest opportunity.”
The airline confirmed that hotel and meal arrangements have been made for passengers while engineers inspect the aircraft. “We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the unforeseen situation. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the statement added.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is assisting Air India and extending support to passengers stranded in Mongolia. Airline officials said alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to Delhi as soon as possible.
Details on the number of passengers onboard have not been released. However, Air India emphasized that its technical teams are working to ensure a safe and timely continuation of the journey.
The precautionary landing in Mongolia is the latest in a series of recent technical issues reported by Air India flights. Just days earlier, on October 22, a Newark-bound Air India flight with the callsign AI191 made a precautionary air return to Mumbai after pilots noticed a suspected technical problem.
The aircraft landed safely back in Mumbai, and engineers conducted detailed inspections before clearing it for service. As a result of that incident, both AI191 and the corresponding Newark-to-Mumbai flight AI144 were canceled. Air India said all affected passengers were provided hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative flights.
In another case last month, an Air India flight from Milan to Delhi was canceled following a technical snag, disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers during the festive season. Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict safety standards across its operations. The airline stated that precautionary landings are part of standard safety protocols followed worldwide when any technical irregularity is suspected.
“Safety is never compromised,” an Air India spokesperson said. “Our flight and engineering teams are trained to take immediate action whenever any technical indication arises. These procedures are designed to protect passengers, crew, and the aircraft.”
Aviation experts note that precautionary landings, though inconvenient, demonstrate adherence to global aviation safety practices. “When pilots make precautionary landings, it’s because they are prioritizing safety over convenience,” said an aviation analyst based in Delhi. “It’s always the right decision when something doesn’t look right.”
As Air India engineers continue to inspect the Boeing 777 in Ulaanbaatar, the airline said it is exploring options to deploy another aircraft to bring stranded travelers to Delhi. The passengers are currently accommodated in hotels near the airport.
“Our team on the ground is assisting all passengers with accommodations, meals, and local arrangements,” the airline said. “We thank our guests for their patience and understanding.”
This incident marks the first time an Air India flight has landed in Mongolia for an emergency or precautionary reason. Ulaanbaatar’s Chinggis Khaan International Airport served as the nearest suitable airport for the aircraft to land safely.
Air India operates multiple long-haul international routes, including non-stop flights from San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and London to major Indian cities. The airline has been expanding its global footprint under its transformation plan “Vihaan.AI,” focusing on improved service reliability and passenger experience.
While the airline faces scrutiny for recurring technical issues, aviation analysts say such incidents are not unusual given the scale of its global operations. “With hundreds of long-haul flights every week, occasional diversions can happen,” said the analyst. “What matters most is how effectively the airline manages the situation — and Air India appears to be handling it responsibly.”
As of now, passengers from flight AI174 are expected to resume their journey to Delhi once the aircraft is cleared or a replacement jet is arranged.
