Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 29: An Air India flight that was to leave for Mumbai from the international airport here had to be called back on Sunday January 28 on account of technical problems. The flight, which was Mumbai-bound, stands rescheduled for today.

The aircraft had picked up passengers and was taxying on the runway when problem was detected in the starter of the aircraft's engine, it is said. Thereafter, the aircraft returned to its base.

The flight, which had a capacity of 180, was carrying 116 passengers at the time of its cancellation. Air India is learnt to have arranged for the hotel stay for all the passengers of the flight. Officials of the company said that these passengers would fly to Mumbai by the flight scheduled to leave at 6 am on Monday.

Reports said that the spare part required to repair the problem was flown by a flight that arrived here from Mumbai on Sunday night. Sources said that the aircraft would be airworthy early morning today.