London Calling, But Bengaluru Answers: British Airways Jet Does a Mid-Air U-Turn

Image Source: Udayavani

A British Airways flight from Bengaluru to London was in the news on Friday after carrying out a mid-air U-turn close to Abu Dhabi, prompting the plane to land at its point of departure because of a technical problem. The episode, which kept hundreds of passengers waiting for hours, came against the backdrop of overall delays at London Heathway Airport, pointing towards the difficulty airlines encounter in ensuring safety and reliability in the face of operational upheaval.

Incident Overview

British Airways BA118, a Boeing 777-operated aircraft, left Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru at 7:40 AM IST on Friday, May 23, 2025, en route to London Heathrow.
Approximately three hours after departure, in the region of Abu Dhabi airspace, the crew noticed a technical problem and opted to return to Bengaluru for a precautionary landing.

Nature of the Technical Glitch

A passenger complained of being told of a technical snag in the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), an essential safety feature that prevents mid-air collision.
The malfunction in TCAS led to a high-altitude turnaround and following the same route back to Bengaluru.

Passenger Experience

Passengers stayed on board on the return, with a few venting their ire on social media at lack of communication by the airline during the delay.
No distress or safety events were reported on board, and the plane landed safely at Bengaluru.

Operational Response

After landing, the plane was inspected thoroughly by Bengaluru airport engineers.
Once cleared, the same plane took off again for London at 2:30 PM IST the same day.
British Airways asserted that the turnaround decision was done out of caution, exercising priority on passenger safety.

Broader Context

The accident coincided with extensive disruptions at London Heathrow Airport, where a May 21 power shutdown due to a fire in a nearby substation had resulted in widespread delays and cancellations.
In the face of these difficulties, British Airways still had nearly 90% of its scheduled flights running, with near-normal operations expected by Sunday.

Industry Implications

The quick and cautious response by the BA118 crew reflects the aviation industry's paramount concern for safety and crisis management.
The incident has triggered debates regarding real-time communication with passengers in the case of in-flight emergencies and the need for transparency.

Sources: Economic Times Infra, NewsDrum, Devdiscourse, Deccan Herald, Travel and Tour World, AviationA2Z, Indian Express, Economic Times

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