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)
