DELHI- Tata Group-owned Indian FSC Air India (AI) Boeing 777, registered as VT-AEH, operating flight AI174 from San Francisco (SFO) to Delhi via Kolkata, made a precautionary diversion to Ulaanbaatar (ULN), Mongolia, after pilots suspected a technical issue mid-route.
The aircraft, carrying 228 passengers and 17 crew members, landed safely. Air India confirmed it is arranging alternate travel to Delhi while the aircraft undergoes technical checks.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)
Air India San Francisco to Delhi Flight Diverted
Air India’s flight AI174 departed from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:25 pm local time, en route to Kolkata (CCU) and onward to Delhi (DEL).
Midway through its journey, the flight crew detected a possible technical issue and opted to divert to Ulaanbaatar (ULN), Mongolia’s capital. The decision was precautionary and aligned with standard safety procedures.
Upon landing, all passengers were served meals onboard before being disembarked. Immigration procedures were completed at Ulaanbaatar International Airport, and Air India arranged hotel accommodation while organizing alternate transport to Delhi.
A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that the Boeing 777-200LR, over 16 years old, is undergoing a detailed inspection. Air India reiterated that passenger safety remains its top priority and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
Air India Spokesperson told Aviation A2Z:
AI174 of 02 November, operating from San Francisco to Delhi via Kolkata, made a precautionary landing at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after the flight crew suspected a technical issue en route. The aircraft landed safely at Ulaanbaatar and is undergoing the necessary checks. We are working closely with our partners to support all passengers while we make efforts to get everyone on their way to the destination at the earliest opportunity. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to the unforeseen situation. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remain top priority.”
Air India Spokesperson
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)
Alternate Aircraft and Passenger Support
In line with protocol for unscheduled diversions, Air India is dispatching an alternate aircraft along with engineers and necessary materials to Ulaanbaatar.
The plan is for the replacement aircraft to ferry passengers and crew to Delhi, while the engineering team rectifies and ferries the original aircraft back once cleared.
Such procedures are standard in international operations to ensure minimal disruption while maintaining strict safety oversight. The airline has assured timely communication and full support for all passengers during the delay.
In another update, an Air India Spokesperson told us:
With the help of our partner and local authorities, Air India has extended immediate assistance to the passengers. They were served meals on board and have been disembarked. Hotel arrangements have been made for their stay after clearing immigration procedures at the airport while Air India makes alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination Delhi at the earliest. Air India sincerely regret the inconvenience to passengers arising from this unforeseen diversion, which was undertaken in the interest of safety. Every effort is being made to minimise the inconvenience.”
Air India Spokesperson
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)
Similar Incidents
This is not the first time Air India’s long-haul operations from San Francisco have faced mid-air technical issues. In June 2023, a San Francisco–Delhi (SFO–DEL) service diverted to Magadan, Russia (GDX), where passengers spent nearly 39 hours before an alternate aircraft arrived. The airline issued full refunds and travel vouchers to affected passengers.
Again in July 2024, another Delhi–San Francisco flight diverted to Krasnoyarsk, Russia (KJA), due to a snag. In that case, Air India managed a quicker response, sending an alternate aircraft from India to continue the journey.
These instances underline the operational complexity of ultra-long-haul routes and the importance of proactive contingency measures in aviation safety.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal
Recent Diversion
An Air India flight from Delhi (DEL) to Bengaluru (BLR) carrying 172 passengers was diverted to Bhopal (BHO) after a technical warning on Monday night. The aircraft landed safely at Raja Bhoj Airport following standard emergency procedures.
Officials confirmed that the Airbus A320neo (VT-EXO) operating flight AIC 2487 experienced a cargo hold alert mid-flight, prompting a full emergency declaration before the situation normalized.
According to airport authorities, the flight’s crew reported a warning signal from the cargo compartment shortly after takeoff. In response, Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Bhopal Airport (BHO) initiated emergency protocols at 19:33 IST to ensure passenger safety.
Within minutes, the cockpit crew confirmed the warning had cleared and that all systems were functioning normally. Despite the alert resolving mid-flight, the aircraft proceeded with the diversion as a precautionary measure, landing safely at 20:00 IST.
All 172 passengers and crew disembarked without incident. Air India later stated that the aircraft was undergoing standard technical checks before resuming service.
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