New Delhi, 22 December (H.S.): The Civil Aviation Ministry took cognizance on Monday of a technical malfunction in Air India Flight AI-887 shortly after takeoff from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport en route to Mumbai, directing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a detailed report.

The Boeing 777, carrying approximately 355 passengers, returned safely to Delhi about an hour after departure following standard operating procedures invoked by the crew upon detecting the issue. All passengers and crew remained unharmed, with the aircraft landing without incident.

The ministry instructed Air India to provide comprehensive assistance to affected passengers, including rebooking on subsequent flights, underscoring that traveler safety remains paramount. Air India responded affirmatively, confirming ground teams offered refreshments during the wait, senior representatives personally engaged with passengers, and apologies were extended for the inconvenience caused.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar