Air India flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai returned shortly after take-off due to a technical issue and landed safely. A spokesperson confirmed the incident.

Indian-origin Anand Varadarajan will take charge from January 19, replacing Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the role in September.

The national capital continued to reel under heavy smog on Monday morning, with air quality levels remaining in the “very poor” category and several areas slipping into “severe” pollution levels.