An Air India flight carrying 156 passengers made an emergency landing in Phuket, Thailand, after a bomb threat was reported mid-air, according to Thai media. The flight was headed to New Delhi.
The aircraft departed Phuket Airport for New Delhi at 9:30 AM (0230 GMT) on Friday, but after circling over the Andaman Sea, it returned and landed back on the Thai island, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
Phuket Airport activated its Airport Contingency Plan (ACP), Chapter 3, in response to the bomb threat, following standard procedures and authorities confirmed that all necessary measures were in place, reported Nation Thailand. The Transport Ministry stated that Air India flight AI 379 landed safely at Phuket International Airport, where safety protocols are now being actively followed.
Air India's statement:
"An Air India flight from Phuket, Thailand, to India’s capital New Delhi received a bomb threat on Friday, prompting an emergency landing."
"As part of emergency protocols, passengers of flight AI 379 are being deboarded from the aircraft. A total of 156 passengers were on board, and the bomb threat was discovered inside the aircraft’s toilet."
"The plane had taken off from Phuket Airport at 9:30 AM on Friday for New Delhi but made a wide loop over the Andaman Sea before returning to land at Phuket Island."