Kingfisher Airlines flight IT-801 from Hyderabad to Delhi, which took off at 6.25 am on Thursday with 90 passengers and 7 crew-members on board, returned to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport soon after.

According to an official release from RGIA authorities, after taking off, the captain alerted air traffic control saying that he was receiving a smoke detection indication in the cargo hold of the aircraft. As per standard airline procedures, he requested to return to Hyderabad.

"The aircraft landed normally and taxied to a standard parking position where the passengers deplaned as usual. During the precautionary unloading of the cargo, an un-identified substance was located. This is being investigated by the airline and facilitated by the airport operator," the press release added.