An Air India Express flight bound for Varanasi triggered a major security alert on Wednesday after receiving a bomb threat mid-flight, prompting the airline to inform authorities and initiate emergency safety protocols.
The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were safely evacuated, officials confirmed. The incident led to heightened security measures at airports across the country, as parallel threats were also reported by another airline.
Threat alert and emergency response
According to an Air India Express spokesperson, the airline acted immediately after the threat was detected. “One of our flights to Varanasi received a security threat. In line with protocol, the government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was immediately alerted, and all necessary security procedures promptly initiated,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further added, “The flight landed safely, and all guests have been disembarked. The aircraft will be released for operations once all mandated security checks are completed.”
Officials did not disclose the specific nature of the threat but confirmed that the aircraft and baggage were being thoroughly inspected by airport security teams and bomb disposal squads.
IndiGo reports similar alerts across major airports
In a related development, sources said IndiGo Airlines also received security-related concerns for at least five major airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Thiruvananthapuram — around the same time.
Unlike previous incidents where such alerts were delivered via email, this time the threats were received through alternative digital channels, officials said. The digital messages were flagged and immediately reported to security agencies for verification.
Heightened nationwide vigilance
Following the multiple alerts, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) directed all airlines and airport operators to enhance security checks, passenger screening, and baggage monitoring. Additional personnel have been deployed across sensitive airports, and random secondary security checks are being conducted on selected flights.
Airports in metro cities — particularly Delhi and Mumbai — have increased surveillance with sniffer dogs, bomb detection squads, and armed CISF teams deployed across terminals and cargo zones.
Investigation underway
Central intelligence and cybercrime agencies have been roped in to trace the digital source of the threats. Initial reports suggest that the messages were sent using encrypted communication methods, making it difficult to immediately identify the sender.
Authorities are investigating whether the multiple alerts are linked incidents or isolated hoaxes. “While precautionary measures are being taken, agencies are analysing the pattern and source of these threats. So far, no explosives or suspicious materials have been found,” an official involved in the probe told NDTV.
Passengers’ safety ensured
Passengers aboard the Air India Express flight praised the crew for their calm and professional handling of the situation. Cabin crew members reportedly followed standard emergency protocol, instructing passengers to remain seated and avoid panic until the plane landed safely.
Once the aircraft was parked at a designated isolation bay, passengers were evacuated and escorted to the terminal, where they were debriefed by airline and security officials.
Conclusion
While the threat turned out to be unsubstantiated so far, the incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of aviation networks to digital security threats. Authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for spreading false information or creating public panic.
The Air India Express aircraft remains grounded pending clearance from the BTAC and security agencies.