An Air India flight from Thailand’s Phuket to New Delhi was forced into an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on Friday following a chilling bomb threat, Thai airport authorities confirmed.
The scare occurred just a day after a separate Air India jet tragically crashed in Ahmedabad, India, claiming the lives of at least 265 passengers and people on the ground.
The Airports of Thailand reported that the pilot of the Airbus A320 had radioed air traffic control to alert them of a bomb threat message discovered on board, prompting an immediate return.
According to data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft made a U-turn over the Andaman Sea shortly after departure. It then circled repeatedly off the Phuket coast before safely landing back at the airport.
The incident raised heightened fears across the aviation sector, as it unfolded in the shadow of Thursday’s catastrophic crash involving another Air India aircraft.
Emergency teams were deployed upon landing, and passengers were swiftly evacuated for security checks. Authorities have yet to confirm the source or nature of the threat, but a full investigation is underway.
Passengers described a tense atmosphere during the flight, with some reporting that crew members acted swiftly and professionally throughout the ordeal. The airline has not yet issued an official comment, but sources say the aircraft was thoroughly inspected, and no explosives were found.
The back-to-back emergencies have sparked concerns about Air India’s safety protocols and operational security, with travellers and industry analysts calling for swift responses and transparent communication.
