Air India flight AI117 to Birmingham is diverting to Heathrow after pilots declared an emergency.
January 8, 2026 — Air India flight AI117, operating from Amritsar (ATQ) to Birmingham (BHX), has declared a general emergency this evening following a period of sustained holding due to severe weather conditions at its destination.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-NAC), was forced to abandon its approach into Birmingham Airport after heavy snowfall and freezing conditions dropped visibility below 500 meters, falling under the required safety minima for a standard landing.
Chronology of the Incident
After completing the long-haul journey from India, the flight entered a holding pattern near Birmingham. While the Dreamliner is equipped with advanced avionics for low-visibility operations, the combination of accumulating snow on the runway and visibility fluctuating below safe limits prevented a successful touchdown.
Data from flight tracking services indicated that after several circuits, the crew issued a “Squawk 7700,” the international radio code for a general emergency. This declaration was prompted by a “Minimum Fuel” situation, as the orbits in the holding pattern depleted the aircraft’s reserves beyond the point where a further hold was viable.
Diversion to London Heathrow
In coordination with Air Traffic Control (ATC), the flight crew elected to divert to London Heathrow (LHR). While Heathrow is also experiencing wintry weather, its longer runways and specialized Category III (CAT III) Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) provide a higher margin of safety for aircraft operating on limited fuel.
General emergency
A “Squawk 7700” provides the aircraft with priority handling from ATC, clearing a direct path to the runway and ensuring emergency services are on standby upon arrival.
UPDATE 20:16 BST
The Boeing aircraft landed safely on runway 09L.
UPDATE 20:20 BST
Arrived at gate B49.
