An Air India Express flight was compelled to perform an emergency landing today due to a bomb threat received mid-air. The aircraft, carrying 176 passengers from Mumbai to Varanasi, raised security concerns at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport upon arrival. Following a safe landing, the plane was promptly relocated to an isolation area.
A detailed search conducted by a bomb disposal squad yielded no suspicious items. An Air India Express spokesperson stated, “One of our flights bound for Varanasi encountered a security threat. Standard security protocols were immediately enacted, and the necessary procedures were swiftly implemented. The flight landed without incident, and all passengers have disembarked. The aircraft will resume operations once all essential security checks are finalized.”
Earlier today, IndiGo airline also faced a similar security scare after an email threatened to detonate explosives at five airports nationwide. Heightened security measures were enforced at major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Hyderabad. The government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee is currently investigating the threatening email.
Air India Express, a budget airline under the ownership of Air India, specializes in domestic and short- to medium-haul international routes.