An Air India flight en route from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi, India was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday morning following a bomb threat received mid-flight, according to Thai airport authorities.
Flight AI 379, which took off from Phuket International Airport at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time (0230 GMT), was carrying 156 passengers when the threat was identified. Officials from Airports of Thailand (AOT) confirmed that the aircraft made a precautionary U-turn over the Andaman Sea and landed safely back in Phuket.
Bomb Threat Scribbled on Aircraft Wall
According to sources from Phuket International Airport, the bomb threat was discovered written on a wall inside one of the aircraft’s bathrooms. This prompted the flight crew to initiate emergency procedures and notify Thai aviation authorities.
Following the plane’s return, all passengers were safely evacuated and escorted from the aircraft in line with standard emergency protocols. A preliminary security sweep of the aircraft was conducted by Thai authorities. “Authorities have not found a bomb on the Air India aircraft after a preliminary search,” Reuters reported, quoting officials from the airport. Additional security checks were continuing at the time of reporting.
Passengers Safe, Investigation Underway
All 156 passengers on board the Airbus A320 were safely disembarked without any injuries. Passengers were moved to a secure area within the terminal while bomb disposal and security teams carried out a detailed inspection of the plane. Airport officials and Thai security personnel have not released further details about the nature or source of the threat. Air India has not issued a public statement regarding the incident at the time of publication.
Context: Growing Security Concerns in Aviation
The incident adds to a series of troubling events for Air India and Indian aviation authorities. Just a day earlier, a tragic crash involving an Air India flight in Ahmedabad reportedly killed more than 240 people shortly after takeoff, though details about that incident remain under official review.
Furthermore, Indian airlines and airports have seen a significant surge in bomb threats and hoax calls over the past year. Government data shows nearly 1,000 bomb threats, many of them hoaxes, were received in the first 10 months of last year alone, nearly 10 times the number recorded in 2023. Such threats have raised alarms across Indian aviation, with authorities scrambling to strengthen passenger screening and aircraft security measures.
No Immediate Response from Air India
Despite multiple attempts to contact Air India representatives, the airline has not issued an immediate response or official comment on the bomb threat aboard flight AI 379. Passengers are currently being rebooked on alternate flights, and Thai authorities are coordinating with Indian officials to further investigate the case. Airports of Thailand (AOT) has confirmed that safety protocols were fully followed and praised the quick response of the crew and ground staff, which helped avoid any panic or injury.
Flight Tracker Confirms Flight Path Deviation
Data from flight tracking platform Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft made a wide circular path over the Andaman Sea shortly after takeoff before returning to Phuket. This is consistent with standard international aviation protocol, which mandates that aircraft return to the point of origin in the event of a bomb threat while over water or remote areas.
Passengers Await Resumption of Journey
Several passengers shared their experiences on social media, describing the situation as “tense but calm.” Flight attendants and crew members reportedly kept passengers informed during the flight and upon landing, ensuring an orderly evacuation.
Security personnel in Phuket and representatives from the Indian embassy in Bangkok are reportedly assisting with passenger support and logistics. There is no immediate information on when the passengers will be allowed to continue their journey to New Delhi. The emergency landing of Air India flight AI 379 in Phuket highlights the rising concerns over aviation security in the region.
While no bomb was found during the initial search, the incident underscores the need for increased vigilance amid a surge in threats targeting commercial flights. As authorities in Thailand and India continue their investigation, passengers and the broader flying public remain hopeful that strengthened procedures and international cooperation will help maintain the safety of air travel across South and Southeast Asia.
