Air India London-Delhi Flight Returns To Heathrow Gate From Taxiway. Here’s Why

Last Updated:September 21, 2025, 23:48 IST

Air India flight AI 162 from London to Delhi returned to the gate after a passenger mistakenly went to arrivals, prompting baggage offload and a delay for security compliance.

A file photo of an Air India aircraft (PTI)

In an unexpected turn of events, a Delhi-bound Air India flight from London’s Heathrow Airport returned to the gate shortly after taxing for takeoff after a passenger who was issued the boarding pass failed to board the plane.

The incident took place on Sunday (local time) when the Air India flight AI 162 (London-New Delhi), which was already running about 45 minutes late, began taxiing for takeoff when the crew realised that one passenger, though checked in and cleared at the boarding gate, was not onboard, news agency PTI reported.

Upon realising the error, the aircraft returned to the gate so security protocols could be enacted, including offloading the passenger’s luggage.

Why The Plane Had To Turn Back?

According to the airline, the passenger had mistakenly gone to the arrivals area instead of the departure gate after having their boarding pass scanned. This meant the system recorded them as having boarded, even though they weren’t on the aircraft.

“Flight AI 162, operating from London (Heathrow) to Delhi on September 21, 2025, returned to the gate shortly after pushback because a passenger who, despite having their boarding pass scanned and being marked as boarded, failed to board the aircraft. The passenger had mistakenly proceeded to the arrivals area instead of the departure gate after having their boarding pass scanned at the gate,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

It further said that as per the security protocol, the aircraft, after taxing, returned to get the passenger’s baggage offloaded before departing again en route to New Delhi with a delay.

“As per standard security protocols, the aircraft returned to offload the passenger’s baggage and, subsequently, departed with a delay. The passenger was detained by the airport security officials for questioning.

“Our flight crew followed the necessary procedures, and the decision to return was made to ensure compliance with security regulations. We regret the delay in the flight’s departure caused by this incident,” the spokesperson added.

Aviation safety regulations require that if a passenger’s baggage is loaded onto an aircraft but the passenger fails to board, the baggage must be removed before takeoff due to security risk.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More

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