New Delhi — An IndiGo Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner carrying more than 250 passengers returned to London Heathrow Airport early Wednesday after experiencing a technical issue shortly after takeoff for Delhi.
An emergency was declared, and the aircraft was given priority to land at Heathrow. All passengers disembarked safely.
Reports from London said the pilots detected smoke on board after takeoff and informed air traffic control before deciding to return to the airport.
IndiGo flight 6E4 returned to Heathrow about an hour after departure, according to flight-tracking data.
“A technical issue was detected shortly after take-off on IndiGo flight 6E 04 operating from London to New Delhi on 22 September 2026. Following standard operating procedures, the pilots decided to turn back and landed the aircraft safely at London Heathrow Airport,” IndiGo said in a statement.
The airline said the aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks and will return to service after receiving the necessary clearances.
IndiGo did not provide details about the exact nature of the technical problem that prompted the crew to turn back.
The flight took off at about 12:40 a.m. IST Wednesday and returned to Heathrow at around 2 a.m., according to flight-tracking data.
IndiGo said it was working to minimize inconvenience to passengers by providing hotel accommodations and placing travelers on the next available flights.
“The safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft remains our top priority,” the airline said.
IndiGo remains India’s largest domestic passenger airline, although its market share declined in August. According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation data, the carrier transported 7.887 million passengers during the month, accounting for 65% of the domestic market, down from 67.4% in July. (Source: IANS)
