Air India Flight AI119, which was en route from Mumbai to New York, had to return on Monday due to a potential security threat identified during the flight. Adhering to established protocols, the aircraft landed safely at 10:25 am local time. Air India has confirmed that the plane is currently undergoing mandatory inspections by security agencies, and the airline is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.
In a statement, Air India noted, "The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities. The flight has been rescheduled to operate at 0500 Hrs on 11 March 2025, and all passengers have been provided with hotel accommodations, meals, and additional assistance until that time".
Air India has emphasized that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its utmost priority. The airline stated, "Our ground staff are diligently working to reduce the inconvenience experienced by our passengers due to this disruption. As always, Air India places the highest importance on the safety of both passengers and crew".
The flight that was initially set to depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, usually takes approximately 15 hours. The Boeing 777, which was carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members, altered its course over Azerbaijan and returned to Mumbai. Following its landing, bomb-detection protocols were implemented, but it was later determined that the threat was a false alarm.
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