KOLKATA- An Air India (AI) flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Delhi (DEL), with a technical halt in Kolkata (CCU), was forced to return to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) due to a medical emergency shortly after takeoff on June 26, 2025.
Flight AI 186, carrying 162 passengers and crew, had just departed Kolkata when a passenger onboard fell seriously ill, prompting an immediate precautionary landing.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India Flight AI186 U-Turn
The long-haul Air India (AI) service from Vancouver (YVR) to Delhi (DEL) was rerouted via Kolkata (CCU) owing to ongoing Pakistani airspace restrictions. The aircraft completed its scheduled technical stop in Kolkata before resuming the final leg to Delhi.
However, roughly 25 minutes into the Kolkata–Delhi segment, the pilots initiated a return to CCU due to a passenger requiring urgent medical attention. The flight landed back safely at around 7:00 PM, according to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The cockpit crew immediately requested medical assistance, including a doctor and an ambulance, to meet the aircraft upon landing. The unwell passenger was deboarded and attended to by emergency personnel on the ground.
Following the evacuation of the ill passenger, Air India resumed normal operations. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registered as VT-ALT, was cleared for departure and took off again from Kolkata at 8:30 PM, continuing its journey toward Delhi without further incident.
Air India confirmed the incident and emphasized that the safety and well-being of its passengers remain its highest priority. The airline has been adapting flight routes recently due to regional airspace closures, leading to temporary technical halts at intermediate airports like Kolkata.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Similar Incident
Seven individuals, including crew and passengers, reported dizziness and nausea mid-air on Air India Flight AI130 en route from London Heathrow (LHR) to Mumbai (BOM).
The Boeing 777, operating a scheduled long-haul route, landed safely in Mumbai, where medical teams met the aircraft. Two crew members and two passengers were taken for evaluation post-flight.
Air India (AI) Flight AI130 departed London Heathrow Airport (LHR) for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) on June 23, 2025. During the nine-hour journey, five passengers and two cabin crew reported feeling unwell, citing dizziness and nausea at various points of the flight.
Upon arrival in Mumbai, the airport medical staff were on standby and provided immediate care. Four individuals—two passengers and two crew—were taken to the airport’s medical facility for further evaluation and were discharged after treatment.
Air India confirmed the event in a public statement, noting, “We are investigating the incident and have duly notified the regulator.” The airline has not specified the potential cause of the symptoms but emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety.
Bomb Threat
In a separate event, the day prior, an Air India flight from the UK to New Delhi (DEL) was diverted to Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia, following a bomb threat. The flight underwent thorough security inspections after landing. No explosives were found.
Air India issued an apology, stating, “The inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption is sincerely regretted.” Alternative travel arrangements were arranged for affected passengers.
In the wake of a deadly crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 200 lives, Air India has announced a significant reduction—15%—in its international wide-body operations. This temporary measure allows the carrier to perform enhanced fleet-wide safety inspections.
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