An Air India flight from Delhi to London aborted takeoff on Thursday after a technical scare, weeks after a devastating crash that saw all but one of the 242 people on board a flight to Gatwick killed. In statement following yesterday's incident, the airline said the cockpit crew of the Boeing 787-9 decided to "discontinue the takeoff" and landed so checks could be carried out.

A spokesperson for the carrier said: "Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on July 31, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the takeoff run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks."

"An alternative aircraft is being deployed to fly the passengers to London at the earliest," the statement added, as per news agency the Press Trust of India (PTI).

"Our ground staff is extending all support and care to the guests to minimise inconvenience caused due to this unexpected delay."

Boeing has been approached for comment.

It comes as investigations continue into what caused Air India Flight 171 to crash on June 12. The tragedy claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board.

A British man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was the only survivor and somehow managed to walk away from the wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner despite his injuries. 

The plane plummeted into a medical college campus in the city of Ahmedabad, west India, shortly after take-off.

At least 19 on the ground were also killed, with dozens more injured.

Boeing President and chief executive Kelly Ortberg said at the time: “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad.

"I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”

Boeing said it would defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about the crashed plane in line with protocol under the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Air India says it “stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI 171 accident”.

A spokesman said: “We continue to fully co-operate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses.”