Mumbai: Three International-bound flights, including one to New York, returned midway following a security concern arising out of a bomb threat in the aircraft, officials said. As per protocol, the aircraft were taken to isolation bay and the passengers disembarked. This incident in a single day has raised a major security concern amid the festival season.
The bomb scare were reported in New York-bound Air India flight and two flights operated by IndiGo to Oman capital Muscat and Jeddah, a port city in Saudi Arabia. All the flights took off from Mumbai.
Air India issued a statement saying, "Flight AI119 operating Mumbai to JFK on October 14 received a specific security alert and on instructions of the government's security regulatory committee was diverted to Delhi."
"All passengers have disembarked and are at the Delhi airport terminal. Our colleagues on the ground are making sure to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected disruption," it added.
Air India is committed to and accords top priority to the safety and security of its passengers and crew, the statement said.
IndiGo said that the mandatory security checks were promptly initiated after the plan returned to Mumbai. "As per protocol, the aircraft was taken to an isolated bay, and following the standard operating procedures, mandatory security checks were promptly initiated. Customers were provided with assistance and refreshments, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused," it said.