Air India Flight to New York
In a dramatic turn of events, Air India Flight AI119, bound for New York, was forced to make an emergency return to Mumbai on Monday following a potential security threat mid-flight. The Boeing 777, carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members, safely landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 10:25 am local time, where security teams swiftly took charge.
Air India Flight to New York
The flight, which had just crossed over Azerbaijan, made a sudden U-turn after a bomb threat alert was triggered, setting off a chain of high-stakes protocols. Upon landing, bomb-detection teams scoured the aircraft, only to reveal that the threat was, fortunately, a hoax, as reported by NDTV.
Air India Flight to New York
Air India quickly issued a statement assuring passengers of their safety. “The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities,” the airline confirmed. To ease the disruption, Air India arranged hotel accommodations, meals, and other support for all passengers until the flight could be rescheduled. The new departure time is set for 5:00 am on March 11, 2025.
Air India Flight to New York
“Our colleagues on the ground are making sure to minimise the inconvenience caused to our passengers. As always, Air India accords the highest priority to the safety of passengers and crew,” the airline stated.
Air India Flight to New York
The incident brought back uneasy memories of 2024, a year marked by a wave of bomb threats targeting multiple flights across India. Though all proved to be false alarms, they highlighted vulnerabilities and led to significant disruptions for airlines and travelers alike.
When such threats occur, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at the airport springs into action, meticulously evaluating the credibility of the threat before deciding on the next steps. While this latest scare turned out to be a false alarm, it served as a stark reminder of the ever-present security challenges facing the aviation industry.
Air India Flight to New York
As passengers regroup and prepare for a delayed journey, many are undoubtedly relieved that this latest threat was nothing more than a nerve-wracking hoax.
