Slew Of Bomb Threats Disrupt Air India Flights To U.S.Including Diversion To Canada

Photo: Reuters

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – An Air India flight from Mumbai to New York (AI119) was diverted to New Delhi on October 14 following a specific security alert. The aircraft, with 239 passengers on board, made an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

The aircraft was moved to an isolation runway, and a bomb squad conducted thorough checks. Senior police officials confirmed that standard safety protocols were being diligently followed to ensure the safety of all those involved.

In addition to this, NDTV said, domestic flights Akasa and Indigo too had received threats over social media. In all 12 threats had been received in 48 hours, it reported.   

Several other Air India flights were disrupted due to a series of bomb threats received on October 14 and 15. These threats affected multiple international routes, including those bound for the U.S. and Canada.

·       A Delhi-Chicago flight was diverted to Canada as a precautionary measure, following similar security concerns. Canadian officials despite the cold relations between the two countries are reported to have done everything to keep passengers safe.

·       A Bengaluru-San Francisco flight was delayed after receiving a bomb threat just before takeoff. Passengers were held at the terminal while security officials cleared the aircraft.

·       A Delhi-Vancouver flight also faced delays after airport security heightened checks on the aircraft and baggage following reports of potential threats.

·       A Delhi-London flight was subjected to an extensive security screening, though it eventually resumed after authorities deemed the situation safe.

·        Singapore’s air force mobilized two fighter jets in response to a bomb threat on an Air India Express flight bound for the city-state, its defence minister said.

These diversions and delays come amid a heightened security situation following 12 bomb threats targeting various flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation called a high-level meeting on October 16 to address these incidents. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held emergency discussions with the Bureau of Civil Aviation and airport security agencies regarding the bomb threats, which reportedly originated from social media accounts in London and other countries.

“We have identified and suspended several accounts that were posting threats about bombs on airplanes. Some of these threats were traced to international locations, including London,” a senior police officer said.

Airport security remains on high alert, and investigations are ongoing to ensure the safety of all flights, particularly those on international routes to the U.S. and Canada. Security officials have emphasized that they are treating every threat with utmost seriousness to protect passengers and crew.