The Air India flight was redirected to Delhi airport due to a security concern triggered by a bomb threat on board.
Source: Hindustan Times
An Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday following a bomb threat received by the airline, according to reports from news agency PTI.
The flight, which departed around 2 a.m., was promptly diverted to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where it remains grounded.
All necessary safety protocols are being strictly implemented to guarantee the safety of both passengers and crew.
“The aircraft is currently stationed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, and all standard safety procedures are being diligently followed to ensure the safety of everyone on board,” a senior police officer told PTI.
Sources revealed that Mumbai airport received a bomb threat message via X (formerly known as Twitter) concerning the New York-bound flight. The information was relayed to security agencies in Delhi, leading to the decision to divert the aircraft.
An Air India spokesperson issued a statement regarding the incident, stating, “Flight AI119, operating from Mumbai to JFK on October 14, received a specific security alert. Following instructions from the government’s security regulatory committee, the flight was diverted to Delhi.
“All passengers have disembarked and are now at the Delhi airport terminal. Our ground staff is working to minimize the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected disruption. Air India prioritizes the safety and security of its passengers and crew above all else.”
This incident follows closely on the heels of a mid-air technical glitch involving an Air India Express flight bound for Sharjah from Tiruchirappalli. Shortly after takeoff on Friday, the flight encountered the issue, forcing the aircraft to circle multiple times to reduce fuel and weight before making a safe landing.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a hydraulic system fault affecting the landing gear, according to the airline.
Thanks to the quick response of the pilots, a potential mid-air accident was averted, saving the lives of approximately 141 passengers. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin praised the pilots and crew for successfully ensuring a safe landing.
An Air India Express spokesperson stated, “After identifying the technical issue, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as a precautionary measure to reduce fuel and weight, given the runway length, before making a safe precautionary landing.
“The cause of the malfunction will be thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, an alternative aircraft is being arranged for our guests’ onward journey. We apologize for the inconvenience and reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing safety in all our operations.”
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