Quick Read
- Flight AI188 of Air India operating from Toronto to Delhi received a bomb-threat alert around 11:30 am IST while still mid-air, about four hours away from landing.
- The aircraft, a Boeing 777, landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi at approximately 3:40 pm, after full security drills and checks were carried out.
- Officials described the threat as “non-specific” and have initiated a full investigation; no suspicious item has been publicly confirmed so far.
What Happened
The threat message was received by the Delhi Police and airport authorities while the plane was still airborne. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at IGI Airport was activated. On board, the crew followed security protocols; passengers were never informed mid-flight. After landing, the plane was quarantined for inspection before disembarkation.
Where & When
- Route: Toronto (Canada) → Delhi (India)
- Flight: Air India AI188, Boeing 777
- Date: November 13, 2025 (Thursday)
- Time of alert: Around 11:30 am IST when the aircraft was en route, over international airspace. Four hours from Delhi.
- Landing: IGI Airport, Delhi, at ~3:40 pm IST; passengers disembarked after mandatory security clearance.
How & Why It Matters
- The incident occurred amid a heightened security environment in Delhi following a recent blast near the Red Fort and is therefore being treated with extra caution by aviation and intelligence agencies.
- Mid-air threats to international flights signal both aviation vulnerability and transnational security challenges. Even if deemed a hoax, such alerts disrupt operations and raise global safety concerns.
- For Air India and Indian aviation authorities, the event will trigger reviews of intra-aircraft communication protocols, threat assessment frameworks, and airport emergency preparedness.
What’s Next
- Security agencies are investigating the origin of the threat message, its authenticity, and whether it’s linked to any terror or sabotage group.
- IGI Airport and relevant agencies will issue a security bulletin and update operating procedures for flights arriving from long-haul international routes, especially via North America.
- Passengers on the flight and any connecting flights may be subject to enhanced screening; airlines are likely to reinforce training for “mid-air threat” scenarios.
