Air India Flight to New York Returns to Mumbai Due to Security Threat

Photo: Instagram/@airindia

An Air India flight traveling from Mumbai to New York had to return to Mumbai on Monday after a possible security threat was found mid-flight. The flight, AI119, was on its way to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York when the threat was detected. The plane had to change its route over Azerbaijan and head back to Mumbai.

The flight landed safely at 10:25 am local time. After landing, Air India announced that the plane was being checked by security agencies, and they are fully cooperating with the authorities. The airline reassured passengers that their safety is the top priority.

“The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is giving full support to the authorities. The flight will now depart at 5:00 am on 11 March 2025. All passengers have been given hotel accommodation, meals, and other help until then,” Air India said in a statement.

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The airline also said that they are doing everything they can to reduce the inconvenience caused to passengers. “Our team on the ground is working hard to make sure that passengers are taken care of. As always, Air India places the highest importance on the safety of passengers and crew,” the statement continued.

The flight, which was supposed to take around 15 hours from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, was carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members. After the plane turned back to Mumbai, bomb-detection procedures were carried out, but the threat was later confirmed to be a hoax.

In 2024, many flights faced bomb threats, causing major disruptions in the airline industry. Though all of those threats were later found to be false, they raised concerns about the safety measures airlines use.

Whenever a flight receives a bomb threat, an alert is sent, and a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at the airport is quickly formed. The committee then decides the best course of action based on the situation.

Air India is doing everything possible to handle the situation and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.