3 Different Flights Departing From Mumbai Airport Received Bomb Threats

Hours after an Air India flight was diverted to New Delhi shortly after taking off from Mumbai airport, two more IndiGo flights from the city to Middle East received bomb threats on Monday morning, October 14.

This has led to disruption in outbound international flight operations, as checks were initiated for all three planes involved. One of the IndiGo flights has been given clearance to resume its journey, while the other two flights are still undergoing security checks, NDTV reported.

The airlines’ spokesperson told news agency ANI that flight 6E 56 was operating from Mumbai to Jeddah, while the other — 6E 1275 — was flying to Muscat.

Following the threat, aircraft were moved to an isolation bay as part of security measures.

"As per protocol, the aircraft was taken to an isolated bay, and following the standard operating procedure, mandatory security checks were promptly initiated. Customers were provided with assistance and refreshments, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused," they added.

Earlier in the morning, Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York was also diverted mid-air to Delhi owing to a “specific security alert”. The Air India flight had taken off from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 2 am, and had subsequently received a bomb threat. 

It was then stationed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to ensure that all security protocols were being followed. All passengers have disembarked and are currently at the Delhi airport terminal.

So far, it is not clear whether the threat was a hoax. If that turns out to be the case, once the aircraft’s security inspection is complete, the plane will be allowed to fly to New York.

The incidents have raised concerns about airport security and have led to heightened vigilance at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Authorities are investigating the source of these threats and have not yet released any information about potential suspects or motives.