Executive Summary
- An Air India flight (AI188) traveling from Toronto to Delhi received a bomb threat while mid-air on Thursday.
- The aircraft landed safely in New Delhi, and all passengers and crew disembarked without harm.
- A Bomb Threat Assessment Committee deemed the threat to be “non-specific,” but the plane underwent mandatory security checks upon arrival.
- The threat comes amid heightened security in the capital following a recent fatal blast near the Red Fort.
An Air India flight from Toronto to New Delhi prompted a security alert on Thursday after receiving a bomb threat while in mid-air. The flight, AI188, landed safely at its destination, and all passengers and crew were disembarked without incident, according to official sources.
Delhi Police received the threat message concerning the Boeing 777 aircraft around 11:30 a.m. local time, while the plane was still several hours from its destination. In response, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was convened at the Delhi airport. Officials reported that after an evaluation, the committee determined the threat to be “non-specific.”
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the event, stating, “A security alert was received on Air India flight AI188 during its cruise from Toronto to Delhi on 13 November. On board crew carried out all the laid down security drills keeping passenger safety & security as top priority.” Following its safe landing, the aircraft was moved to an isolated area for mandatory security checks as per protocol.
Heightened Security in the Capital
This incident occurs during a period of heightened security in New Delhi, following a recent deadly blast near the Red Fort complex that killed 13 people. Authorities have issued a public advisory urging travelers to arrive at airports, railway stations, and metro stations well in advance of scheduled departures to accommodate enhanced screening procedures. Joint Commissioner of Police Milind Dumbre stated the measures were implemented to ensure public safety and urged cooperation from the public. It is important to note that investigations into these threats are ongoing, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.