Fake Bomb Threats Ground 10 Flights, Air India Chicago-Bound Flight Diverted To Canada—What You Need To Know

An Air India flight en route from New Delhi to Chicago was forced to divert to Iqaluit Airport in Canada on Tuesday (15 October) an online hoax bomb threat.

Over the last two days, ten flights have faced similar hoax threats, leading to their grounding.

These included flights like the Delhi-Chicago Air India flight, IndiGo’s Dammam-Lucknow service, Air India Express from Ayodhya to Bengaluru, SpiceJet flight SG116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai, Akasa Air flight QP 1373 from Bagdogra to Bengaluru, Alliance Air’s 9I 650 from Amritsar to Dehradun to Delhi, and Air India Express flight IX 684 from Madurai to Singapore.

Earlier on Monday, similar threats were received for two IndiGo flights and one Air India flight.

Confirming the diversion of flight AI127, Air India stated, “Flight AI127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada. The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol.”

According to FlightRadar24, Air India flight AI127 departed from New Delhi at 3:00 am (IST) and was originally expected to land in Chicago by 7:00 am (local time).

The fake bomb threats were made from an unverified X handle and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is investigating the matter.

According to airline insiders, these threats are affecting the airlines financially, but all security protocols are being strictly followed to ensure passenger safety, NDTV reported.

On Monday, three international flights, two operated by IndiGo and one by Air India, received fake security threats, leading to disruption in outbound international flight operations, as checks were initiated for all three planes involved.

The total number of passengers across the two IndiGo flights was 258.

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