Plane flying to London from Mumbai was forced to return after a rat was spotted on board.
Flight AI131 travelling to London on Wednesday and was over Iran airspace when someone spotted the rodent.
The passengers continued their journey on a replacement flight later on.
Air India says the plane had been fumigated and the presence of a rodent was being investigated.
Its known that rats are occasionally get on board aircraft along with gathering and other supplies but can pose a serious technical as well as a health hazard if they chew through wires.
The airline said that “though the presence of the rodent was not confirmed”, the decision to abort the flight was a precaution and part of the passengers safety.
