Air India sends ‘wrong’ Boeing 777 on Vancouver route; flight turns back mid-air

A Vancouver-bound Air India flight from Delhi was forced to turn back mid-journey on Thursday after it was discovered that the aircraft assigned for the route was not approved for operations to Canada, officials said.

The flight, AI185, operated on a Boeing 777-200LR, had been airborne for several hours before returning safely to Delhi. The airline later confirmed that the aircraft was diverted due to an operational issue, without elaborating further.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the service should have been operated using a Boeing 777-300ER, which holds the necessary clearances for Canadian operations. The mix-up is believed to have stemmed from a lapse in updating operational requirements, leading to the deployment of an incorrect aircraft variant.

International routes require strict, aircraft-specific approvals tied to airport infrastructure, ground handling capabilities, and regulatory compliance. Officials noted that different aircraft types cannot be substituted without prior clearance from destination authorities.

The flight turned back while flying over Chinese airspace after several hours in the air, resulting in significant operational costs, including fuel burn, passenger accommodation, and logistical disruptions.

Air India said affected passengers were provided assistance, including hotel stays, and were rebooked on a subsequent flight to Vancouver at the earliest opportunity.