New Delhi/Mumbai: Three international flights originating from Mumbai received bomb threats on Monday. While a New York-bound Air India flight was diverted to New Delhi and rescheduled, the other two, both operated by IndiGo, were delayed by several hours.
Nothing suspicious was found on any of the planes, police officials said.
“Flight AI 119 operating from Mumbai to JFK on October 14 received a specific security alert and on instructions of the government’s security regulatory committee, (it) was diverted to Delhi,” Air India said in a statement.
“Staff on ground are working to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected disruption,” it said.
All 258 people onboard the aircraft were disembarked and made to go through security procedures, it said.
There were 239 passengers and 19 crew members onboard the plane.
The flight has been rescheduled and will now depart for New York from Delhi on Tuesday morning, the airline said.
“The aircraft was thoroughly checked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and all standard safety protocols were diligently followed to ensure the safety of the passengers and the crew on board,” a senior police officer said, adding that nothing suspicious was found during checking.
The bomb threat was received through a post on the microblogging platform X and the handle is being verified, the officer said.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol visited the Delhi airport to take stock of the situation.
“Upon landing in Delhi a while ago, took stock of the situation at Delhi airport regarding the diversion & emergency landing of flight AI 119, carrying 239 passengers.