New Delhi, Sep 24: An IndiGo Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner carrying more than 250 passengers returned to London’s Heathrow Airport early Wednesday after a technical issue was detected shortly after take-off on its scheduled flight to New Delhi.
The aircraft, operating IndiGo flight 6E4 from London to Delhi, departed Heathrow at around 12:40 a.m. IST and returned to the airport at approximately 2 a.m., according to flight-tracking data.
The pilots declared an emergency and informed Air Traffic Control after the issue was detected. The aircraft was given priority to land at Heathrow and returned safely. All passengers and crew members disembarked without incident.
Reports from London indicated that smoke was detected onboard shortly after take-off, prompting the crew to turn the aircraft around. IndiGo, however, has not disclosed the specific nature or cause of the technical issue.
In a statement, IndiGo said the pilots followed standard operating procedures and decided to return to London after the technical issue was detected. The airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and is currently undergoing maintenance checks.
The aircraft will return to service only after the necessary inspections are completed and all required clearances are obtained, the airline said.
IndiGo is also making arrangements for affected passengers, including hotel accommodation and placement on the next available flights to New Delhi. The airline said it was taking all possible steps to minimise delays and inconvenience.
The incident comes as IndiGo continues to expand its international network and long-haul operations. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner forms part of the airline’s efforts to strengthen connectivity between India and major international destinations.
According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation data, IndiGo carried 78.87 lakh passengers in August 2026, accounting for around 65 per cent of India's domestic air passenger market. Its domestic market share stood at 67.4 per cent in July.
The aircraft's safe return and the safe disembarkation of passengers ensured that the immediate situation was brought under control. The Dreamliner will remain under maintenance inspection until the airline completes the necessary checks and receives clearance to resume operations.
