NEW DELHI: An Air India flight from Toronto to Delhi received a bomb threat while mid-air on Thursday, prompting a security alert before landing safely in the national capital, according to sources quoted by PTI.Delhi Police received the threat message concerning flight AI188 in the morning, following which the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was convened at Delhi airport. After evaluation, the committee deemed the threat to be “non-specific”, officials said.
The message arrived around 11.30 am when the Boeing 777 aircraft was flying over four hours away from Delhi. “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. The flight has landed safely at Delhi and has been parked for the mandatory security checks by the security as per the protocol. All passengers and crew have disembarked safely,” an Air India spokesperson said, as quoted by ANI.The Toronto–Delhi flight, typically lasting over 15 hours, was tracked by aviation website Flightradar24, which showed it arrived without incident despite the mid-air alert.
Heightened security in Delhi
The threat came days after, the blast near the Red Fort complex in the national capital killed 13 people and injured several others.An advisory has been issued urging passengers to reach airports, railway, and metro stations well in advance of their scheduled departures.Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Milind Dumbre said the advisory aims to ensure smooth security procedures and prevent delays. “Passengers are advised to reach the railway stations at least one hour before the scheduled departure of their trains, metro stations at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure, and the airport at least three hours prior to their scheduled flights,” he stated.Dumbre added that enhanced screening of passengers, luggage, and vehicles has been implemented, urging the public to cooperate with authorities to maintain safety and ensure seamless travel across the capital.
