A British Airways flight from Bengaluru to London was compelled to make a mid-journey return on Friday due to a suspected glitch in its on-board safety system. Flight BA118, initially delayed by an hour, took off at 7:40 am IST from Kempegowda International Airport but was forced to reverse course nearly two hours into the flight, after reaching Omani airspace.
A passenger on board revealed that the issue stemmed from a malfunction in the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) — a crucial safety mechanism designed to avert mid-air crashes by tracking nearby aircraft and issuing advisories to pilots.
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft landed safely back in Bengaluru, but passengers remained onboard for an extended period without clarity. “We are still inside the plane. All they’ve told us is that there’s no update,” tweeted Satish Medapatti, one of the flyers.
Responding to the incident, British Airways acknowledged the unscheduled turnaround, citing operational issues and assured passengers of assistance with rebooking.
The TCAS operates autonomously from air traffic control, using radar signals to scan for aircraft in proximity and offering corrective instructions like climbing or descending to avoid danger. Its failure, even if temporary, can jeopardise flight safety, making precautionary landing a mandatory protocol.
Though no injuries were reported, the episode highlights the non-negotiable role of airborne safety systems in modern aviation.
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