London-bound flight returns after pilot detects smoke in cabin

New Delhi: A London-bound Air India aircraft today safely returned to Delhi after being airborne for 30 minutes as the pilot detected smoke in the cabin.
All 115 passengers and 15 crew members of the flight AI-111 are safe, an AI official said.
The Boeing 777-300 (extended range) aircraft took-off from Delhi at 6:50 am.
Full emergency was declared at the airport when the pilot informed the Air Traffic Control about the smoke alarm. The measures included stationing of fire brigades, ambulances, ladders and other emergency equipment close to the runway to avert a possible mishap.
Emergency was declared at the airport at 7:50 am and it was withdrawn at 8:25 am, airport sources said.
"The flight has landed back safely. We have a spare aircraft which will be used to take the passengers to London. We are working on putting together the required crew complement to operate the aircraft," Air India's Northern region head D S Kohli told PTI.
This is the second time in three days that full emergency was declared at Delhi airport. On Thursday, emergency was declared when a Go Air flight from Mumbai landed here safely with a damaged nosewheel.
11/10/08 Press Trust of India

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Categories: Air India - International Oct 2008, NACIL Oct 2008, Safety Oct 2008