London-bound Air India flights returns after passenger physically assaults cabin crew

New Delhi : A Delhi-London Air India Flight returned to Delhi airport minutes after taking off after an alleged unruly passenger was involved in a brawl with crew members mid-air. The airline has also filed a complaint with the Delhi Airport police over the incident and handed the unruly passengers to the police.

The flight had taken off from the Delhi airport at 6:35 AM. Soon after the brawl started within minutes of take-off, the plane was forced to return to the airport in Delhi.

After making a return to Delhi airport, the unruly passenger was deboarded from the plane and was handed over to the police authorities. Later, the flight took off for London.

"Air India flight AI 111 scheduled to operate Delhi-London Heathrow on April 10, 2023 returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to the serious unruly behaviour of a passenger on board. Not heeding to verbal and written warnings, the passenger continued with unruly behaviour including causing physical harm to two of the cabin crew members. The pilot in command decided to return to Delhi and the passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing," Air India said in a statement.

"An FIR has also been lodged with the police. Safety, security and dignity of all on board is important to us at Air India. We are providing all possible support to the affected crew members. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers and have rescheduled the flight to depart for London this afternoon," the statement read.