An Air India flight en route from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi was forced to return to Phuket International Airport on Friday morning after a bomb threat was discovered on board, according to airport authorities. The aircraft, identified as Flight AI 379, had departed at 9:30 AM local time with 156 passengers when a note indicating a potential explosive device was found in one of the lavatories, as reported by Republic World.
The flight, which had been airborne for approximately 20 minutes, made a wide loop over the Andaman Sea before safely landing back at Phuket around 11:38 AM, per Flightradar24 data. Phuket International Airport, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), confirmed the emergency landing and stated that security protocols were immediately activated to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. AOT did not disclose specific details about the nature of the threat.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, where Flight AI 171, bound for London Gatwick, resulted in the loss of over 290 lives. The timing of the bomb threat, less than 24 hours after the Ahmedabad disaster, has heightened concerns about aviation security. Authorities are currently investigating the threat, and no injuries or damage have been reported in connection with Flight AI 379.