An Air India Express flight bound to India returned safely to Abu Dhabi on Friday after an engine problem. 

Flight IX 348, which was carrying 184 passengers, had taken off from Abu Dhabi International Airport and was headed to Kozhikode when the crew discovered one of the engines had caught fire, according to media reports.  

The technical glitch prompted the crew to return to the UAE capital. 

“The technical snag was identified while taking off and the aircraft landed back safely, following all laid down procedures, in Abu Dhabi,” the statement said. 

“This event has been reported to the regulatory authorities as per protocol, and alternate arrangements are being made for the guests. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests on board,” said the airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India. 

Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, the low-cost carrier has a fleet of 24 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft. 

(Reporting by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Daniel Luiz) 

Cleofe.maceda@lseg.com