A Mumbai-bound Air India flight was forced to return to Delhi shortly after departure on Monday following a technical issue, the airline confirmed.

Flight AI887, operating from Delhi to Mumbai, turned back as a precautionary measure in line with standard operating procedures. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi, and all passengers and crew disembarked without any incident.

In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said, “The crew operating flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai on December 22 decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers and crew have disembarked. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen situation.”

The aircraft is currently undergoing mandatory technical inspections, the airline added.

Air India said its ground staff in Delhi are assisting affected passengers, and alternative travel arrangements have been made to fly them to Mumbai at the earliest. “The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier, amid ongoing flight disruptions, Air India announced enhanced preparations to reduce passenger inconvenience during the upcoming fog season. These measures include CAT III B crew rostering, deployment of CAT III B-certified aircraft capable of operating in low-visibility conditions, improved airport readiness across the network, and technology-driven passenger support systems.

The airline has also activated its ‘Fog Care’ initiative to proactively assist passengers during weather-related delays or schedule changes. Under this initiative, flights likely to be impacted by fog are identified in advance based on meteorological forecasts, and passengers are informed about potential delays or rescheduling.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declared December 10, 2025, to February 10, 2026, as the official fog season window.