An emergency was declared on an Air India flight from Mumbai to London after a bomb threat was received. Today, five Air India flights, two Vistara flights and two IndiGo flights received bomb threats, adding to the list of threat calls received by airlines this week.
The aircraft was ‘squawking 7700’ – a code used by aircraft pilots to declare a general emergency. Online flight tracking website, Flightradar24, showed the Boeing 777 operated by Air India taking off from Mumbai at 7:05 am (IST), circling eastern England and declaring an emergency.
#AI129 7700 sounds are being heard from Mumbai to London, which is a signal of general emergency. The reason is currently unknown.
More information about ‘Squawking 7700’ here. pic.twitter.com/uadlHmvSEG
– flightradar24 (@flightradar24) 17 October 2024
AI129 flight declared an emergency an hour before landing. It was scheduled to land at London’s Heathrow Airport at 12:05 pm (UK time).
According to the latest information from FlightRadar24, the plane is no longer ‘squawking 7700’ and has landed at Heathrow Airport. ‘Squawking 7700’ informs nearby air traffic controllers of the aircraft’s position.
Bomb threats to airlines continued for the fourth consecutive day, with at least 20 planes receiving threats in four days. Today, five flights of Air India, two of Vistara and two of Indigo received bomb threats.
Confirming the threats, an Air India official said, “Five Air India flights received security threats on social media today. Regulatory bodies have been informed and all prescribed procedures have been strictly followed. All five flights have landed safely, Air India is committed.” Gives the highest priority to the safety of its passengers and crew.”
A Mumbai-bound Vistara flight with 147 people on board was immediately diverted for security checks upon arrival from Frankfurt after a bomb threat was received on board the Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the airline.
“Vistara flight UK 028, scheduled to fly from Frankfurt to Mumbai on October 16, 2024, was subject to a security threat received on social media. As per protocol, all concerned authorities were immediately informed. The aircraft safely landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mumbai. Landed at Maharaj International Airport and taken to isolation bay where all customers were disembarked. We at Vistara are fully cooperating with the security agencies to complete the mandatory security checks of our customers, crew and aircraft. “Safety is of utmost importance to us.” Vistara spokesperson said.
At the same time, an IndiGo flight from Istanbul to Turkey via Mumbai also received a bomb threat and was taken to an isolation bay here to conduct extensive security checks by security agencies.
“Flight 6E18, en route from Istanbul to Mumbai, received a security alert. Upon landing, the aircraft was separated and all passengers were safely disembarked,” IndiGo said in a statement. It said the airline worked closely with the relevant authorities and standard operating procedures were followed.
However, IndiGo did not share other details.
action plan
Sources had earlier told NDTV that the Center and civic authorities are working together to deal with the crisis. The Home Ministry has asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to send a detailed report on the incidents. The aviation ministry has asked airlines to provide inputs on bomb blast incidents, based on which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will prepare a report.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee was held yesterday on this issue. Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had called a meeting with Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA officials.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in a statement, “We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that we are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards and passenger safety remains our top priority. “
Sources said several steps would be taken to deal with such situations: Those posting bomb threats would be added to the list of ‘unruly travellers’. Airlines have suggested that they should be banned from flying for five years.
Sources said the airlines have suggested that the accused should compensate them for the loss they suffered due to the fake bomb threat.
The names of those responsible for the fake calls will be shared with the airline and security agencies. It is expected that the Civil Aviation Ministry will share the guidelines soon. The ministry will also share a detailed report on the investigation into the bomb scare in two days.
The Home Ministry has ordered the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to remain alert at the airports.