Over 30 flights across India including 10 to and from Mumbai receive bomb threats

Flights at Mumbai airport. Pic/Sameer Abedi

A wave of bomb threats to airlines continued on Saturday as over 30 flights in India including 10 in Mumbai were threatened online, the officials said.

The flights operating to and from Mumbai have undergone rigorous checks before takeoff, ensuring passenger safety amidst heightened threats to airlines, they said.

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Among the flights cleared for departure was Vistara's UK106, connecting Singapore to Mumbai. Following comprehensive security checks, the flight was permitted to proceed. UK027 Mumbai - Frankfurt flight and UK131 Mumbai - Colombo flight also received bomb threat.

The officials said that Indigo's 6E057 flight from Jeddah to Mumbai was also cleared, allowing it to continue on its journey without incident.

Other flights, including Air India's AI119 to New York (JFK) and Indigo's 6E017 to Istanbul also received bomb threats.

"We are cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E17 operating from Mumbai to Istanbul. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines," an IndiGo statement said.

Alliance Air's 9I661 flight to Malwan and Akasa's QP1371 from Goa also received bomb threat.

SpiceJet's SG116 flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai was another flight that received threat.

Start Air, American Airlines and JetBlue also received threats on Saturday.

The officials said that Start Air reported threats to at least 4 flights, American Airlines-- 5 and JetBlue reported threats to 5 flights.

So far, over 70 flights in past 6 days have received bomb threats, the officials said.

A list of overall flights that received threats on Saturday-

JetBlue

B6 7 - New York to London
B6 30 - San Diago to Fort Lauderdale
B6 60 - Kingston to New York
B6 96 - Portland to Boston
B6 31- Boston to Amsterdam

American Airlines

AA10 - Los Angeles to New York
AA13 - Flight Cancelled
AA28 - Los Angeles to New York
AA38 Miami to London
AA40 Chicago to Barcelona

Star Air

S5 131 - Bangaluru to Jamnagar
S5 222 - Kishangarh to Lucknow
S5 225 - Gaziabad to Kishangarh
S5 234 - Gaziabad to Adampur

IndiGo Airline

6E-11 Delhi to Istanbul
6E-17 Mumbai to Istanbul
6E-58 Jeddha to Mumbai
6E-108 Hydrabad to Chandigarh
6E-184 Jodhpur to Delhi

An IndiGo statement said, "Flight 6E 58, operating from Jeddah to Mumbai received a security-related alert. Upon landing, the aircraft was isolated, and all customers were safely disembarked. Ensuring the safety and security of our customers and crew remains paramount in all facets of our operations. We worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused our customers and appreciate their understanding."

Air India

AI-101: Delhi to New York
AI-105: Delhi to Newark
AI-126: Chicago to Delhi
AI-119: Mumbai New York (JFK)
AI-161: Delhi to London

Spicejet

SG055 Amritsar to Dubai
SG116 Darbhanga to Mumbai (3rd threat in 6 days to same flight)
SG211 Delhi to Goa
SG476 Delhi to Darbhanga
SG2939 Delhi to Dharamshala

Akasa Airlines

QP 1323 flying from Bengaluru to Guwahati
QP 1371 flying from Goa to Mumbai
QP 1373 flying from Bagdogra to Bengaluru
QP 1385 flying from Mumbai to Bagdogra
QP 1405 flying from Hyderabad to Delhi

"The Akasa Air Emergency Response team was immediately activated and initiated all standard operating procedures, including informing regulatory authorities and monitoring the situation in real-time. Captains and crew members of respective flights followed the required emergency procedures, and prescribed safety and security protocols in coordination with the local authorities. The Airport Services teams at all impacted airports coordinated with local authorities to ensure efficient handling of the situation. Refreshments and passenger needs were addressed as required. Following defined procedures and after thorough inspections of all five aircraft, they have been released for operations," said an Akasa Air spokesperson said.

Alliance air

9I506 Agatti Island to Kochi
9I528 Vijaynagar Township to Bangluru
9I823 Shimla to Dharamshala
9I661 Mumbai to Malwan
9I804 Kullu to Delhi

Vistara

UK106 Singapore to Mumbai
Flight UK027 Mumbai to Frankfurt
Flight UK107 Mumbai to Singapore
Flight UK121 Delhi to Bangkok
Flight UK131 Mumbai to Colombo

"We confirm that five Vistara flights operating on 19 October 2024 were subject to security threats received on social media. Following the protocol, all relevant authorities were promptly alerted and all security procedures are being adhered to, as per the guidance from the authorities and security agencies. The safety and security of our customers, crew, and aircraft remain our utmost priority," a Vistara spokesperson said.

In an another statement, it said, "Shortly before landing, a security concern was brought to our staff's attention while onboard Vistara flight UK027 operating from Mumbai to Frankfurt on 19 October 2024. In line with the protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately alerted. The flight safely landed at the Frankfurt Airport and we are extending full support to the security agencies in conducting the necessary checks. At Vistara, the safety of our customers, crew and aircraft is paramount."