Passengers safely disembark after the flight from Mumbai to JFK is redirected due to a security alert

In a significant security incident, an Air India flight travelling from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday, October 14, 2024, due to a bomb threat. The flight, designated as AI119, took off around 2 a.m. but was redirected shortly thereafter as a precautionary measure following a security alert.

According to reports from news agency PTI, the alarm was raised when the Mumbai airport received a message via X (formerly Twitter), indicating a bomb threat on the aircraft. The security agencies promptly communicated this information to their counterparts in Delhi, leading to the decision to divert the plane to New Delhi.

Upon landing, the aircraft was grounded at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where all standard safety protocols were swiftly initiated to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members. A senior police officer confirmed that the necessary precautions were being adhered to rigorously.

Air India representatives later issued a statement confirming the diversion. “Flight AI119, operating from Mumbai to JFK on October 14, received a specific security alert and, upon instructions from the government’s security regulatory committee, was diverted to Delhi,” the spokesperson said. They assured that all passengers had safely disembarked and were currently at the Delhi airport terminal.

The airline has committed to minimising any inconvenience caused by the disruption, emphasising their top priority: the safety and security of passengers and crew members. Air India staff on the ground are working diligently to assist the affected passengers during this unexpected turn of events.

As investigations are ongoing, it remains unclear who made the bomb threat and what further actions will be taken. Authorities are likely to examine the threat’s origin closely to ensure the safety of air travel in the region.

The incident highlights the heightened security measures that airlines and airport authorities must take to safeguard passengers, especially following a wave of security concerns that have affected global air travel in recent years.