New Delhi: An Air India flight en route from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi made an emergency landing after a bomb threat was received onboard, according to airport authorities. The incident involved flight AI 379, which was carrying 156 passengers and had taken off from Phuket International Airport at 9:30 AM local time (0230 GMT).
Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew received information about a potential threat, prompting the aircraft to enter a holding pattern over the Andaman Sea. Following standard emergency procedures, the pilot decided to return to Phuket, where the plane landed safely under heightened security protocols.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) official confirmed that, “All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans.” Passengers were evacuated safely, and the aircraft was transferred to a secure location for inspection by security personnel and bomb disposal experts.
The flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed the aircraft making a U-turn mid-air before heading back to Phuket. While AOT confirmed the threat, it did not release any details regarding its origin or credibility. Air India has not yet commented on the incident or provided any updates regarding rescheduling of the flight.
This incident has further intensified scrutiny of the airline’s safety procedures, coming just a day after a tragic crash involving another Air India flight in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 240 lives. While there is no confirmed link between the two incidents, the close timing has raised concerns among passengers and authorities.
Investigations into the bomb threat are ongoing, and Thai authorities are reportedly working with Indian officials to decide whether the threat was genuine or a fraud. Enhanced security checks have been introduced at Phuket Airport as a precautionary measure.
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