New Delhi: An Air India flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu was diverted back to Delhi on Saturday after reporting a technical issue while approaching Nepali airspace, according to an official at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport.

The flight, operating under call sign AI219, had approached the Nepal-bound route when it was diverted from the airspace over Lucknow after the crew reported technical problems.

“The aircraft was about to enter Nepali airspace, but it got diverted from the airspace above Lucknow after reporting technical issues. The details are yet to be confirmed and briefed,” the official told ANI.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320-214, had departed from New Delhi at 2:42 pm IST and was scheduled to land in Kathmandu at 4:30 pm Nepal time.

AI219 is a passenger flight, but details about the number of passengers on board were not immediately available.

Tribhuvan International Airport has not issued an official statement on the diversion so far.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to bring its third runway back into service from September 20.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates IGI Airport, said Runway 11R/29L, commonly known as the third runway, will resume operations following the completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

The rehabilitation work began in February 2026 and included extensive strengthening and upgrade measures aimed at improving operational safety, efficiency, resilience and the airport’s long-term capacity.

DIAL said the upgraded runway has undergone the required inspections and validations and received the necessary regulatory clearances for operational use.