British Airways flight returns to Bengaluru mid-air following technical issue

A British Airways flight bound for London made an unscheduled return to Kempegowda International Airport on Friday due to a suspected technical malfunction, sparking concern among passengers.

Flight BA118, operated by a Boeing 777-200, took off at 7:40 am IST after an initial delay from its scheduled 6:45 am departure. Nearly two hours into the journey, as the aircraft approached Omani airspace, the crew decided to turn back. Passengers were informed of a possible issue with the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a critical safety mechanism designed to prevent mid-air collisions.

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“The flight returned to Bengaluru after a few hours. We’re still on the plane with no concrete information,” said Satish Medapatti, a passenger, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added that airline staff had not provided clarity on the next steps.

British Airways responded to the post, confirming a service disruption and assuring passengers of assistance with their onward travel arrangements.

TCAS operates independently of ground-based air traffic control, using radar signals from other aircraft to alert pilots of nearby threats and recommend evasive maneuvers. While the exact nature of the malfunction remains unconfirmed, safety protocols require immediate action in the event of such system alerts.

The aircraft landed safely back in Bengaluru, with no injuries reported. British Airways is expected to provide alternate arrangements for the affected passengers.