An Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago was diverted to Iqaluit Airport in Canada on Tuesday following an online bomb threat, according to an airline official.
“Flight AI127, operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, received a security threat posted online. As a precaution, the aircraft was safely diverted to Iqaluit Airport, where passengers and the aircraft are currently being re-screened in accordance with security protocols,” Air India said in a statement. The airline added that it has activated support teams at the airport to assist passengers until their journey can continue.
Air India also noted that it and other airlines have recently been subjected to several threats, which were later determined to be hoaxes. However, the airline emphasized that all threats are taken seriously as part of its safety measures. “The inconvenience caused to passengers is deeply regretted,” the statement read. Air India is fully cooperating with authorities to identify those responsible for the threats and is considering legal action to recover the damages incurred.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has called for a high-level meeting on Wednesday in response to the recent series of bomb threats targeting airlines on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi due to a bomb threat.
In a previous statement, an Air India spokesperson confirmed that Flight AI119, operating from Mumbai to JFK on October 14, received a security alert and, following instructions from the government’s security regulatory committee, was diverted to Delhi. All passengers were safely disembarked at the Delhi airport terminal.