Air India has announced plans to operate a dedicated relief flight on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to facilitate the return of 228 passengers. These individuals have been stranded in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, since their San Francisco-Delhi flight was diverted there on Monday due to an unexpected technical issue.
The airline confirmed that the special flight is scheduled to bring all affected passengers back home by Wednesday morning.
Reports from Monday indicated that the original flight was carrying a total of 245 individuals, comprising 228 passengers and 17 crew members.
In an official statement, Air India clarified, “Air India will be operating a relief flight to ferry the passengers of flight AI174 (San Francisco–Delhi of November 2), which was diverted to Ulaanbaatar on Monday. The ferry flight AI183 is scheduled to depart Delhi this afternoon and return with the affected passengers on Wednesday morning.”
This critical rescue mission will be carried out using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The statement further detailed that Air India, in close cooperation with local Mongolian authorities and the Indian Embassy, has been diligently providing for the passengers and crew, including arranging hotel accommodations during their unexpected layover.
The Tata Group-owned carrier had previously stated on Monday, “AI174 operating from San Francisco to Delhi via Kolkata, made a precautionary landing at Ulaanbaatar after the flight crew suspected a technical issue en route.”
Fortunately, the Boeing 777 aircraft involved in the incident made a safe landing in Ulaanbaatar, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.