Air India Flight to New York Returns to Mumbai After Mid-Air Security Scare
An Air India flight bound for New York was forced to return to Mumbai on Monday following a mid-air security threat. Flight AI119, which departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for John F. Kennedy International Airport, landed back safely at 10:25 AM local time.
An Air India flight bound for New York was forced to return to Mumbai on Monday following a mid-air security threat. Flight AI119, which departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for John F. Kennedy International Airport, landed back safely at 10:25 AM local time.
Security Checks Underway
Air India confirmed that the aircraft is currently undergoing mandatory security inspections, with the airline fully cooperating with authorities. “The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities. The flight has been rescheduled to operate at 05:00 Hrs on March 11, 2025, and all passengers have been offered hotel accommodation, meals, and other assistance until then,” the airline said in a statement.
The flight, a Boeing 777 carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members, changed its course over Azerbaijan after the threat was detected and returned to Mumbai. Upon landing, bomb detection procedures were conducted, but authorities later confirmed that the threat was a hoax.
Safety and Passenger Assistance
Air India reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and assured that its staff was working to minimize inconvenience for those affected. “As always, Air India accords the highest priority to the safety of passengers and crew,” the airline stated.
Aviation authorities and security agencies are investigating the origin of the security threat.
Rise in Hoax Bomb Threats
The incident adds to a series of security threats faced by airlines in recent months. In 2024, multiple flights in India received hoax bomb threats, causing disruptions to airline operations and raising concerns over aviation security protocols.
When a flight receives a security threat mid-air, an alert is immediately triggered, and the airport’s Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) is convened to evaluate the situation and determine the necessary response.
Sources By Agencies
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