Bomb threats were made on Monday against three flights leaving from Mumbai, severely disrupting air travel. Air India operated the third affected flight, and IndiGo operated the first two.
A representative for Air India confirmed that Flight AI119, which was due to depart from Mumbai and arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, had received a specific security alert. The plane was rerouted to Delhi under the security regulating committee of the government’s orders. After disembarking, every passenger is now at the airport terminal in Delhi.
According to the Air India spokeswoman, “Our colleagues on the ground are making sure to minimize the inconvenience this unexpected disruption has caused for our guests.”
Also receiving a bomb threat was IndiGo flight 6E 1275, which was flying from Mumbai to Muscat. The aircraft was escorted to a remote bay by usual procedure, and obligatory security checks were immediately started.
A bomb threat was also made against IndiGo flight 6E 56, which was travelling from Mumbai to Jeddah, in a different incident.
The events have sparked worries about airport security and increased watchfulness at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The authorities are looking into the source of these threats, but they have not yet provided any details about likely suspects or their motives.
The Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, earlier on October 5 received an email containing a bomb threat. The police then filed a formal complaint. The letter writer allegedly made threats to blow up the nation’s other airports.
Similarly, an email threatening to blow up Vadodara Airport prompted a comprehensive search on October 5.
Authorities are presently looking into the situation, and in the meantime, security has been reinforced in response to the threat that was received.